Alaves Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Alaves away from home, currently they are at the 13th and Real are 2nd on the leader-board. There is no leeway for dropping points and so Madrid is not going to take any risks this time again.

First I would like to see the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. James
3. Lucas Vazquez
4. Hazard

Suspended:

1.     None 

Just recovered:

1. Nacho

Practiced:

 All are practicing. James, Asensio and Lucas Vázquez continue with their recovery processes, while Hazard began his.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• Hazard will be fit for the El Classico.
• New Injury update: Varane is not able to train

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the title race with Barcelona playing Atletico this weekend. With Marcelo playing the whole 90 minutes against PSG mid-week, it gives ZZ option to start Mendy completely fresh. So Mendy, Ramos, Militao and Carvajal should start, more so with the great work over the past few games by the defence. Instead of Carvajal, Odriozola might start to rest Carvajal.

In the goal Courtois will start, with clean sheets in the last 5 games of the 7 and only three goals, of which two were due to defensive errors courtesy Ramos and Varane, things still look positive.

As all the four mid-fielders, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Valverde are performing at the top level, it will be a tough decision for ZZ. With the game time provided to Isco, Kroos, Valverde, Casemiro and Modric, it will be Kroos, Modric and Casemiro to start and Isco and Valverde will act as subs. 

As Hazard is injured it will for the first time give Bale opportunity to start along with Benzema and Rodrygo. Jovic and Vinicus will be options for substitution. 

So the final starting 11 will be:

Update: Militao replaces Varane