Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Valencia - La Liga | OneFootball

We've reached the point in the season when Carlo Ancelotti's masterful squad management comes to the fore.

The Real Madrid manager has dates in court to consider, but legal issues off the pitch are unlikely to shackle the Italian's stoic demeanour as he attempts to end the season with more major honours in his back pocket.

It's certainly not been a serene return to action after the March international break for Madrid, but they remain well in the La Liga title hunt and have booked their place in the Copa del Rey final.

The start of their Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal is also upcoming, and Tuesday's trip to north London will undoubtedly be considered when Ancelotti is picking his team on Saturday. An in-form Valencia are up next in La Liga, and here's what the Madrid XI could look like.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Valencia (4-2-3-1)

Antonio Rudiger's header thrust Madrid into the Copa del Rey final / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages

GK: Andriy Lunin - Thibaut Courtois isn't expected to be fit for Saturday's game due to a thigh injury, so Lunin will continue between the posts having conceded six goals in his previous two starts.

RB: Federico Valverde - The Uruguayan star picked up a knock in midweek but will not miss Saturday's game. Ancelotti won't fear starting him just days before the trip to north London.

CB: Raul Asencio - Asencio has moved ahead of his seniors in the depth chart, and Ancelotti will likely utilise the centre-back pairing he's expected to deploy on Tuesday night here.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - Rudiger is an undroppable figure, as the recent Copa del Reay chaos proved. He'll return to the starting XI after netting the decisive goal in extra time against Real Sociedad.

LB: Fran Garcia - Eduardo Camavinga got a gig at left-back in midweek, but Garcia should be back in the team with Ferland Mendy still out injured. The French defender could be fit for the first leg against Arsenal.

CM: Luka Modric - After coming off the bench against Sociedad, the veteran midfielder should play a considerable part at the weekend.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - Tchouameni has benefitted from playing alongside Modric this season, with the Frenchman re-emerging as a critical figure in Madrid's engine room. He's also suspended for next week's clash with the Gunners, so a start on Saturday makes sense.

RW: Arda Guler - Ancelotti will tinker with his stars in attack off the back of Tuesday's 120-minute slog. Guler teed up Rudiger's decisive header with a set-piece last time out, and he could earn another start on Saturday.

AM: Brahim Diaz - Jude Bellingham played the entirety of the Copa del Rey second leg and could do with some respite. Brahim has proven to be more than an able deputy this term.

LW: Rodrygo - Vinicius Junior also got 120 minutes under his belt on Tuesday and should play no more than a cameo here. Rodrygo hasn't played much off the left this season, excelling on the opposite side.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - Mbappe is on the hunt for the Pichichi, but his brace against Leganes was matched by La Liga top scorer Robert Lewandowski the following day. The Frenchman has work to do if he's to pip the Pole to the goalscoring crown with less than ten league games remaining.