Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Salzburg - Champions League | OneFootball

Real Madrid's defence of their Champions League crown has been far from impressive but Los Blancos can all but secure their place in the knockout phase of the competition on Wednesday evening.

The European behemoths host strugglers RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu knowing that victory will likely ensure them a play-off berth come the end of the league phase, but the Spanish giants can ill-afford complacency midweek having already lost to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool in the competition.

Carlo Ancelotti, who has recently been linked with a Madrid exit this summer, has a few defensive conundrums to figure out before Wednesday night, but has seen his side hit their stride in the final third since the turn of the year.

Here is how Madrid could line up for an important duel with Austrian side Salzburg.

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

Vinicius Junior missed out at the weekend through suspension / Angel Martinez/GettyImages

GK: Thibaut Courtois - Madrid's defensive issues mean that Courtois can expect to be worked on Wednesday, even by the misfiring Salzburg who visit the Spanish capital under new management.

RB: Federico Valverde - Dani Carvajal's season-ending injury and Lucas Vazquez's European suspension mean that Ancelotti will reshuffle his backline. Valverde, who has featured at right-back on occasion this term, is likely to step in for the absent Spaniards.

CB: Raul Asencio - Injuries at centre-back have caused Madrid issues this term but the silver lining has been young Asencio, who has largely impressed during his regular first-team forays.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - David Alaba's much-anticipated return at the weekend bolsters Ancelotti's options at the back and Rudiger will be keen to see the Austrian line up beside him sooner rather than later.

LB: Ferland Mendy - Fran Garcia has started the last two matches for Madrid but Mendy could be favoured midweek, with rest and rotation important for Los Blancos following a hectic start to the calendar year.

DM: Luka Modric - Suspended for the weekend win over Las Palmas, Modric will be utilised in the engine room on Wednesday following injuries to Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

DM: Dani Ceballos - Starts have not been commonplace for Ceballos this season but he has been named in the XI for the last two games. With Valverde shunted to right-back, he should make it a hat-trick against Salzburg.

RW: Rodrygo - The Brazilian impressed on Sunday afternoon, adding a fourth goal to the scoreline after half-time. He's now netted three times in his last four appearances for Los Blancos and will fancy his chances of adding to his tally against the porous Salzburg.

AM: Jude Bellingham - Madrid endured a frustrating afternoon at the weekend regarding the Video Assistant Referee, who ruled out three strikes for the reigning Spanish champions. Bellingham is one of those who saw his effort chalked off.

LW: Vinicius Junior - Vinicius joined Modric in the stands on Sunday as he too sat out with suspension, but the indefatigable superstar will make his comeback midweek. He's scored five in as many Champions League games this season.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - After a slow start to life in Spain, Mbappe has found his feet. Eight goals in his last ten has boosted confidence levels and the Frenchman will be keen to punish Salzburg on Thomas Letsch's return.