Real Madrid host Levante on Saturday hoping to steal the first position in La Liga from Villarreal, who have a one point advantage over Los Blancos and will face Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Rafa Benitez will recover Danilo in the most appropriate moment, since Daniel Carvajal fell injured in the last La Liga game and substitute Alvaro Arbeloa made a crucial mistake that cost Los Merengues two points against Atletico.
Thus, the Brazilian will feature at right-back, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos again as the centre-back pair. Pepe will miss another game due to a muscle injury.
International friendlies have also left Benitez without Benzema, who will be sidelined for at least two weeks, and Luka Modric, who could return next week. James Rodriguez, who also fell injured at an international game with Colombia last month, will be the fifth loss for Real.
On the other hand, Gareth Bale will return to a starting eleven after featuring only a few minutes against Atletico. Casemiro will most likely replace Modric, so the midfield line will be formed by Bale, Kroos, Casemiro and Isco.
Jese will have a big chance to prove his value replacing Benzema in the striker position, although he could switch with Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo during the game, also playing in the wings.
Levante have proved to be a solid team in the last few games and they will seek to put in a great defensive performance hoping to savage a point. Yet, the losses of Trujillo, Ivan Lopez and Verza through injury will make it tougher for them to hold Los Blancos offensive strength.
Possible line-ups:
Real Madrid: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Bale, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Jese, Ronaldo.
Levante: Ruben; Morales, Feddal, Juanfran, Tono Garcia; Lerma, Camarasa, Simao Mate, Jose Mari; Deyverson, Ghilas.
