Zinedine Zidane is not expected to make important changes in Real Madrid’s XI to face Espanyol on Sunday night.
Sergio Ramos will return to the centre of the defense after recovering from an injury. Raphael Varane will be Ramos’ pair, since Pepe is suffering from muscle problems.
Danilo will most likely return to the bench, leaving his spot at right-back for Daniel Carvajal. Marcelo will feature at left-back, as usual.
In midfield, the main doubt is whether Zidane will bench James Rodríguez and bring Jese Rodríguez in or not. It seems that the Colombian will start alongside Isco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will feature in the forward line.
Meanwhile, Espayol will display a pretty unusual XI, given the numerous losses they are suffering. That will cause, for example, that winger Hernan Perez will most likely be required to feature as a striker.
These are the projectec starting line-ups of both teams:
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; James, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.
Espanyol: Pau Lopez; Javi Lopez, Roco, Alvaro, Duarte; Diop, Sánchez; Montanes, Jordan, Sevila; Perez.
Comment: ferfect show tonight. But we need marco rues, hazard nd lewandaski.