Possible Real Madrid starting XI against Alavés in LaLiga

Real Madrid will play their last game of the year against Alavés on Thursday. Eight players are currently sidelined and will miss the trip to the Basque country. Carlo Ancelotti is without Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinícius and Arda Güler.

Kepa will start in goal, as confirmed by Ancelotti in his pre-match press conference. The Basque will be chosen for this game ahead of Andriy Lunin, although Ancelotti has already made it clear that he does not plan to keep rotating his goalkeepers.

In defence, the absence of Carvajal and Mendy leaves room for Lucas Vázquez and Fran García to play, with Antonio Rüdiger and Nacho, the only two central defenders available, in the centre of defence.

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Midfield is where Ancelotti has the most players to choose from. He will likely opt for what has been working lately: Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham in wider areas, with Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos in central midfield. Dani Ceballos, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Nico Paz will start on the bench.

Brahim and Rodrygo are set to lead the line for Madrid. There was a possibility that Joselu would be included in the starting eleven but the striker did not train on Wednesday due to a fever. He was included in the squad, but it appears that he will start on the bench on Thursday.

Real Madrid likely XI vs Alavés

Kepa; Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Fran García; Modric, Valverde, Kroos, Bellingham; Brahim, Rodrygo.