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Real Madrid will host Barcelona in a high-stakes El Clasico tonight and despite their injury issues, they could field a very strong starting XI.
As things stand, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are in with a shot at the La Liga title. It did not seem plausible until the turn of the year but Atletico Madrid's dip in form has coincided with their rivals hitting a green patch.
Real Madrid have been on a roll in recent weeks and are unbeaten in their last 12 games, winning 10 of them. Their frontline has been in great form with Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio firing on all cylinders of late.
Zinedine Zidane's side have been grappling with a lot of injury issues of late but they still do have the personnel to do a job on Barcelona and complete a league double over their bitter rivals.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the probable Real Madrid lineup for El Clasico tonight.
How Real Madrid could lineup against Barcelona
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois has so far been excellent for Real Madrid this season. He has kept 12 cleansheets in 29 appearances in the league this term and has not let in more than a goal in 12 consecutive matches.
Courtois is undoubtedly going to guard the sticks for Real Madrid against Barcelona and his assured presence will give an injury-riddled backline a lot of confidence.
Real Madrid defenders
Sergio Ramos has been ruled out with an injury while Raphael Varane has been sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19. Dani Carvajal is a doubt for the game and this means that Real Madrid will have to go with a relatively less experienced backline.
Lucas Vazquez, who has done a decent job at right-back this season, is expected to start. The Spaniard has been consistent over the past several games and was particularly good in Real Madrid's second leg match against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Eder Militao will be partnered with Nacho at centre-back. The duo did a solid job for Los Blancos in midweek against Liverpool.
Ferland Mendy has been Real Madrid's first-choice left-back and will have his work cut out for him against the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. Simply put, Real Madrid only have one of their first-choice defenders cleared to play at the moment but their secondary options are not that bad.
Real Madrid midfielders
Real Madrid's biggest strength is perhaps their midfield. Casemiro has produced back-to-back quality performances and will look to nullify the threat posed by the Barcelona midfield and Lionel Messi.
Ahead of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will orchestrate the play and provide the thrust from the centre. It is difficult to find a more settled and experienced centre-midfield partnership than that of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Kroos was excellent for Zinedine Zidane's men against Liverpool. The German international put his exquisite passing range on show and ran the game from midfield and copped an assist with a spectacular long ball for Vinicius Jr. to run onto and slot past Alisson Becker.
Luka Modric turned in yet another industrious display and provided an assist as well. He has now become the second oldest player to provide assists in three consecutive Champions League matches after Ryan Giggs.
Real Madrid's midfielders are in great form and the only advantage that Barcelona have over them is that they are better rested as they did not have a Champions League game in midweek.
Real Madrid forwards
With Eden Hazard eyeing a potential return to the side tonight, Zinedine Zidane has a decision to make. However, he is expected to go with the in-form Vinicius Jr. on the left-wing. Junior was in fine form against Liverpool and bagged a brace for his efforts. The 20-year-old also provided an assist for Real Madrid in their latest La Liga match against Eibar.
As such, he is expected to start even if Eden Hazard is fit. As for the other two positions, there should not be a hint of doubt in Zinedine Zidane's mind. Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio have been absolutely brilliant and have been firing on all cylinders of late.
In the last eight games across all competitions, Karim Benzema has scored nine goals and provided an assist. He has arguably been Real Madrid's best player this season.
Marco Asensio seems to be at the top of his game right now and has scored a goal in each of his last four outings for Real Madrid. He scored against Liverpool in midweek and is all set to start down the right side.
Real Madrid's defense might be injury-ravaged right now but their midfielders and forwards are in great form and they have the quality to see off Barcelona at home in El Clasico tonight.
