Real Madrid XI vs Valladolid: Predicted lineup, team news and injury list for tonight's LaLiga action
Sergio Ramos returns for Real Madrid away to Real Valladolid in LaLiga tonight, but Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard are both out.
The club captain is back after an ankle problem picked up in the final of the Spanish Supercopa against Atletico in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, in which he scored the winning penalty.
Meanwhile, Bale hurt his ankle in the 3-1 victory away to Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night and misses the trip to Valladolid, along with Hazard, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury of his own since late November.
Marco Asensio is still sidelined with the cruciate ligament injury he sustained in pre-season, while Vinicius Junior has been left out due to a “technical decision” by coach Zinedine Zidane.
There is no place either for Brahim Diaz, who forced an own goal and scored another himself on Wednesday, nor for Mariano in Madrid’s 19-man list.
With only four forwards in the squad and six midfielders, Zidane looks set to play 4-4-2 or even 4-4-1-1 at the Jose Zorrilla.
Right-back Dani Carvajal is suspended and with Alvaro Odriozola having moved to Bayern Munich on loan this week, Nacho is likely to deputise in that role on Sunday.
Valladolid possible XI: Masip; Salisu, Olivas, Fernandez; Moyano, Michel, Alcaraz, Emeterio, Nacho; Guardiola, Unal
Real Madrid possible XI: Courtois; Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Casemiro, Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Isco; Benzema
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Real Madrid loan Odriozola to Bayern until the end of the season