How Real Madrid could line up against Athletic Bilbao

Lucas Vazquez remains on the sidelines with an ankle problem, while David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni are again set to miss the cash due to calf injuries.

Dani Carvajal was also absent against Villarreal in the Copa del Rey on Thursday due to a muscular problem, and the defender could remain unavailable for selection here, which is likely to mean another start for Nacho.

Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti did not have the luxury of resting key players in the cup, but it was a brilliant second-half performance from the Spanish and European champions, who recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Villarreal and advance to the quarter-finals.

The team that takes to the field for the first whistle here will be very similar to Thursday's XI, with perhaps the only alteration being the return of Luka Modric, who was rested in the Copa del Rey.

Modric could replace Rodrygo, which would see Federico Valverde move forward to join Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.

Dani Ceballos made a positive impact off the bench on Thursday, scoring the late winner, but Eduardo Camavinga could retain his spot in the middle of midfield for this match.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius