Zinedine Zidane will make at least two changes from last week’s starting eleven. The Frenchman will have to replace Marcelo, who will miss the game through injury, and he has also announced that Mateo Kovacic will come in to give Isco some rest.
With the Brazilian left-back on the sidelines and Danilo also injured, Zidane will most likely pick Nacho Fernandez to feature in defence alongside Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Daniel Carvajal.
Apart from including Kovacic in the lineup, Zidane is not expected to make any other changes. The Croatia international will be included in order to let Isco rest ahead of the Champions League game against Roma.
James Rodriguez will feature again in midfield, replacing injured Gareth Bale. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will not rotate and are expected to start. As usual, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will form the forward line, and Keylor Navas will start on goal.
This is Real Madrid’s projected starting eleven: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; James Rodriguez, Kroos, Modric, Kovacic; Benzema, Ronaldo.
Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde will make several change, since he comes into the game with five important losses. Eraso is expected to replace suspended Inaki Williams, who has been the Basques’ best player this season.
This is Athletic’s projected eleven: Iraizoz; Boveda, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; De Marcos, Benat, Iturraspe, Muniain; Eraso; Aduriz.
