Real Madrid face an important clash against Villarreal this Saturday evening in La Liga. The Royal Club will look to regain their balance and dispel the doubts over their form, while avoiding any widening of the gap with Barcelona, who host Getafe earlier today at the Camp Nou.
Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" expect José Mourinho to field a competitive starting line-up, led by Thibaut Courtois in goal. Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries will patrol the flanks ahead of him, with Antonio Rüdiger and Ibrahima Konaté in the heart of defence.
Knee pain had cast doubt over Konaté's involvement, but he made the squad and is expected to start.
In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni is expected to play his usual role alongside Bernardo Silva, who saw little action with Portugal during the international break and could add something in terms of ball circulation and collective play.
Jude Bellingham should operate behind the striker, with Vinícius Júnior on the left and Kylian Mbappé at centre forward. Arda Güler is likely to take up the right flank.
Federico Valverde drops to the bench as a precautionary measure, according to the projected line-up. Yan Diomande will not start despite joining this summer from Leipzig for 146 million euros, and Morocco's Brahim Díaz is also likely to find himself among the substitutes.
Real Madrid's expected line-up against Villarreal
Goalkeeper: Courtois.
Defence: Cucurella, Konaté, Rüdiger, Dumfries.
Midfield: Tchouaméni, Bernardo Silva, Bellingham.
Attack: Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler, Mbappé.