Asencio, Brahim start in a 4-3-3 – How Real Madrid could line up against Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be aiming to rise to the top of the La Liga table when they take on Rayo Vallecano away at Estadio de Vallecas later tonight.

Los Blancos are currently second in the standings, two points behind Barcelona, with a game in hand. With the Catalans scheduled to play only on Sunday, the reigning champions will be aiming to take advantage and move to the top with a win.

Real Madrid go into the game on the back of consecutive wins over Girona and Atalanta and will be eager to make it three in a row, especially with the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final coming up next week.

However, the Merengues go into the game without main man Kylian Mbappe, who suffered a thigh injury earlier this week. But Eduardo Camavinga is back from his spell on the sidelines much to the relief of Carlo Ancelotti.

Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Carvajal are the other absentees for the visitors as they look to storm the Vallecas tonight and return with three points.

With that in mind, here’s how Ancelotti could set his Real Madrid starting lineup tonight against Rayo Vallecano.

Defence

There is simply no looking past the key figure of Thibaut Courtois in goal, whom Real Madrid consider the best in the world in his position and wish to offer a new contract.

Meanwhile, with no Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy, the full-backs pretty much pick themselves as Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia are expected to start again for the reigning champions.

There could be a change at the heart of the defence, though, with Raul Asencio likely to walk back into the team after being benched in favour of Aurelien Tchouameni for two games. He will partner Antonio Rudiger tonight.

Set to return to the team? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Midfield

Freed from his responsibilities in defence, Aurelien Tchouameni could revert to his natural position at the base of the midfield for Real Madrid, with Ancelotti calling him one of the best pivots in his most recent press conference.

Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde are permanent fixtures in the starting lineup for Real Madrid game after game and that will not change tonight at Estadio de Vallecas.

It would however mean that captain Luka Modric and in-form player Dani Ceballos might have settle for a spot on the bench, alongside young Arda Guler.

Attack

With no Kylian Mbappe available, Real Madrid will likely shift Rodrygo Goes, who has been far from his best this season, into the centre-forward role. The Brazilian needs to step up and make his chances count.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr., back from injury in midweek, ought to occupy his preferred position on the left flank and look to do damage.

On the right, Brahim Diaz, who has been a very handy and reliable player for Ancelotti and the Merengues this season, should get the nod.

Endrick, as has been the case for much of his time at Real Madrid thus far, will watch on from the bench in hope of getting some minutes in the latter stages.