Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Athletic Club - La Liga

After falling flat in midweek, Real Madrid host Athletic Club in La Liga on Sunday as they aim to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of the table.

Madrid were guilty of making far too much of a potential 'remontada' in their Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal before struggling to lay a glove on the stubborn Gunners in the return leg.

It was a chastening exit from a competition they're synonymous with winning, and it's now seemingly a matter of when, not if, Carlo Ancelotti leaves his post.

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

GK: Thibaut Courtois - The Belgian certainly let his feelings be known on Wednesday night, as he offered a rational critique of Madrid's second leg performance. It's "team football" and less crosses that Courtois wants to see.

RB: Federico Valverde - The midfielder-by-trade could return to Madrid's defence this weekend after he underwhelmed in the middle of the park against the Gunners.

CB: Raul Asencio - The Spaniard's run in the team is expected to continue on Sunday, although he could be busy against a dynamic Athletic side.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - Reports have emerged regarding the potential knee injury Rudiger is continuing to play with. The German may not be playing with his trademark bite as a result, but he's not expected to drop out of Ancelotti's team.

LB: Fran Garcia - David Alaba struggled mightily against Bukayo Saka and will likely make way for Garcia this weekend.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga - Last week's match-winner was banned for the second leg on Wednesday, so he'll be fresh for Sunday night's crucial clash.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - Ancelotti has several midfield options at his disposal with Dani Ceballos recently returning from injury. Luka Modric may also be called upon, but Tchouameni has been the club's best performer in the engine room this season.

RW: Brahim Diaz - Brahim should've played a bigger part during their quarter-final with Arsenal, as Madrid struggled to offer any guile in central positions. Ancelotti could atone for that oversight by including him in Sunday's XI.

AM: Jude Bellingham - It was a frustrating night for the Englishman on Wednesday, and he'll be leant on to fill the goalscoring void left by the suspended Kylian Mbappe.

LW: Vinicius Junior - It feels like Vinicius Junior has struggled to reach the heights of last season, yet the Brazilian has been remarkably productive in the final third. In tandem with Bellingham, the winger must step up against formidable opposition in Mbappe's absence.

ST: Endrick - Ancelotti has been reluctant to use the teenage starlet in year one, but Endrick could earn a rare La Liga start on a big night for Madrid with their leading scorer banned.

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