Possible Real Madrid starting lineup against Sevilla in LaLiga EA Sports

Antonio Rüdiger’s return is the only piece of good news when it comes to team selection for Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Sunday’s LaLiga game against Sevilla. The Italian’s starting lineup will be heavily influenced by the number of first-team players unavailable for selection due to injury or suspension.

Rüdiger back, banned Carvajal and Camavinga drop out

Earlier in the week, it appeared as Rüdiger’s participation could again be in doubt after he failed to train with the rest of his teammates. But he completed the full sessions on Friday and Saturday and is now deemed to have fully recovered, with no risk of a relapse. The German will start in central defence, allowing “emergency” centre-back Aurélien Tchouaméni to return to his customary midfield role.

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Elsewhere, Ancelotti will have to plug several gaps. Right-back Dani Carvajal was sent off in injury time against Rayo Vallecano last weekend and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga saw his fifth yellow card of the season, so both serve one-match suspensions. Lucas Vázquez, who started ahead of Carvajal in Vallecas, will keep his place in the team.

Bellingham and Joselu remain absent

Long-term injury victims Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militão and David Alaba have been joined on the treatment table in recent weeks by Jude Bellingham and Joselu. The Englishman has almost recovered from an ankle sprain and could be back against Valencia next weekend, but the on-loan striker will be out for three weeks because of swelling around the ankle.

Brahim Díaz to join Rodrygo and Vinícius in attack

The Madrid attack against Sevilla will pick itself, with the three available forwards - Brahim Díaz, Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior - all set to play. Díaz is completely over the knock he picked up away to RB Leipzig on 13 February, which didn’t prevent him from coming on for 20 minutes against Rayo.

Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos will start slightly in advance of Tchouaméni in midfield, with Luka Modric again expected to be named on the bench. The Croat will be joined there by Real Madrid Castilla goalkaeeper Diego Piñeiro and striker Álvaro Rodríguez, as well as academy defender Jacobo Ramón.

Real Madrid’s possible XI to play Sevilla

Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Brahim; Rodrygo, Vinicius.

Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Getafe on Saturday means the Catalans are now just five points behind Real Madrid, although they have played a game more than their Clásico rivals.

Surprise package Girona are six points adrift but don’t play their matchday 26 fixture (against Rayo) until Monday, so Los Blancos will go eight points clear at the top if they are victorious against Sevilla.