Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Elche CF | Vinicius benched, Trent starts | OneFootball

Real Madrid are aiming to reclaim their three point lead at the top of the league table as they take on Elche CF tonight.

Heading into this contest, Real Madrid have announced theif final starting eleven which will take on an Elche side winless in their last five league matches.

With one eye on the Olympiacos match in midweek, coach Xabi Alonso has made a few changes from the side that was held to a goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano before the international break.

Thibaut Courtois starts in goal as usual, but the biggest headline is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returns to the starting eleven.

Interestingly, the former Liverpool star may operate as a right wing-back, with Alonso opting to deploy a three-man backline that will see Alvaro Carreras joining in at centre-back alongside Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio.

This paves the way for Fran Garcia to occupy the left wingback position, with Trent starting on the opposite flank.

In midfield, Alonso has rested the likes of Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, with Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos, who is not leaving in January, operating in a double-pivot.

In the attack, Kylian Mbappe operates as the leader, with Arda Guler and Rodrygo operating out wide. Vinicius Junior has been benched yet again.