Trent, Camavinga start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Real Madrid can line up against Elche | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be gunning to reclaim top spot in the La Liga standings when they lock horns with Elche on Sunday night away at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

With FC Barcelona securing a convincing 4-0 win over Athletic Club on their return to Camp No earlier today, they have skipped past Xabi Alonso & co. in the table, although both teams are level on points.

As such, earning a victory becomes crucial for Real Madrid, even more so considering they have failed to win their previous two games – losing to Liverpool and drawing against Rayo Vallecano.

However, Alonso will have to make do with a depleted squad as Real Madrid have only two senior centre-backs for tomorrow’s trip while Aurelien Tchouameni and Franco Mastantuono remain unavailable either.

Here’s how Real Madrid could take the field tomorrow against Eder Sarabia’s side, hoping to bag all three points.

Defence

Thibaut Courtois, back from a minor injury he suffered before the start of the international break, will continue guarding the goal for Real Madrid as usual.

Given the lack of options, Xabi Alonso will go into the game with the centre-back pairing of Raul Asencio and Dean Huijsen. The Spanish duo have not always been consistent this season and must pull up their socks against a dangerous Elche side.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold should get the nod at right-back, after having had two weeks to work on his fitness during the international window. Alvaro Carreras, on the other hand, is a shoo-in on the left side of the defence.

Ferland Mendy will be hoping to get his first minutes under Alonso, depending on how the game evolves.

Midfield

Another start beckons for Camavinga. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Trent’s return to the team at right-back should pave the way for Federico Valverde to move back to his natural habitat in midfield.

The Uruguayan has not entirely found his footing in Alonso’s system while playing in the centre of the park and will hope to put in a strong display.

With Aurelien Tchouameni unavailable, his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga, who has recovered from a hamstring problem that troubled him during the international window, should partner Valverde as part of Real Madrid’s midfield axis.

Jude Bellingham will line up as the attacking midfielder, although the England star will have the freedom to drift out wide or push up forward alongside Kylian Mbappe.

Attack

Arda Guler has been one of Real Madrid’s most impressive performers for Real Madrid this season and should line up on the right flank, from where he will look to veer in and split open the Elche defence with his passes.

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid’s top scorer this season, will spearhead the attack and will be gunning to get back to goalscoring ways after failing to do so in the last couple of games.

The final spot in the attacking line will be taken up by Vinicius Jr., whose renewal seems to be on track.

Rodrygo Goes, Gonzalo Garcia, and Endrick will be options to change things up in attack for Alonso.