How Real Madrid could line up against Almeria

Los Blancos will enter the match off the back of a 4-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to be back between the sticks for this match, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos are set to return in central midfield, with Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric likely to drop out.

Real Madrid did not suffer any injury problems against Atletico, but Ancelotti will need to assess the fitness of his players, as it has been a busy start to 2024, with the team recently in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, beating both Atletico and Barcelona to win the competition.

Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba remain long-term absentees due to knee problems, but Lucas Vazquez is expected to train ahead of the match and could make his return from a hamstring issue.

Rodrygo was a doubt for the clash with Atletico, but the Brazil international was fit enough to start, and he is set to continue in a front two with Vinicius Junior this weekend.

Jude Bellingham is also a certain starter in the number 10 position, while Ferland Mendy appears to have put his recent injury problems behind him, and the Frenchman should continue at left-back.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius