Real Madrid predicted starting XI against Mallorca in LaLiga EA Sports

Real Madrid’s squad for the game against Mallorca in LaLiga (January 3, KO 1.15 p.m. ET / 10.15 a.m. PT.) caused eyebrows to be raised the world over: new year, (almost) new squad, it seems.

It’s a team with a lot of strength going forward, but one that also has many band aids at the back. Real Madrid go into 2024 with a game that has the theme of both grand returns and major absences; they have almost have a dozen first-team players sidelined, more or less all of them concentrated in the defence: Courtois, Militão, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy and Camavinga.

Real Madrid - Mallorca: Follow the live action here!

Nacho is suspended after getting a red card against Alavés and Camavinga is training with the group once again and is on the verge of return.

Which players are back in the squad for Real Madrid against Mallorca?

The manager, however, will be able to look at the bright side of things: Carvajal, Vinicius Jr and Arda Güler have all returned to the squad, along with youth team centre-back Álvaro Carillo, who makes it for the fourth time this campaign.

Without three of his four centre-backs, Ancelotti must be creative in defence. Tchouaméni, as happened in October against Osasuna and at the end of the game agains Alavés, will play at the back alongside Rüdiger.

Carvajal will slot straight back in at right-back after getting over the niggling issue that kept him out at the Mendizorroza and Fran García will take up the position on the left. In goal, Ancelotti is keeping the debate alive, announcing that he will play Lunin in the game as Kepa is overcoming a cold.

Full screen

Who will play for Real Madrid against Mallorca?

More than 70,000 fans are expected at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and they will enjoy the talents of a stellar lineup in midfield. Everything points to Ancelotti going with the quartet of players that he has relied on in the previous fixtures: Modric, Kroos, Valverde and Bellingham. The Englishman is, at present, LaLiga’s top goal scorer with 13, ahead of Borja Mayoral (Getafe, 12), Dovbyk (Girona, 11) and Griezmann (Atlético Madrid, 11).

The big doubts in the predicted side come in attack, where Ancelotti has finally recovered Vini Jr - who has been injured since November - to the squad. However, the Italian coach dropped hints that he is not fully sure about whether to start the Brazilian or give him minutes as the game goes on, so we will have to see. What we do know is that Brahim will start in his place alongside Rodrygo if the coach opts for caution.