Real Madrid’s possible line-up for Las Palmas LaLiga match: will Vinícius play?

Three days on from their defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Spanish capital derby, Real Madrid have the chance to bounce back - and overtake arch rivals Barcelona - when they face Las Palmas at the Bernabéu.

Having been leapfrogged at the top by Barça at the weekend, Madrid can now move a point back in front of the Blaugrana after the defending champions were held to a 2-2 draw at Real Mallorca on Tuesday. However, surprise high flyers Girona will lead LaLiga ahead of the ‘big two’ if they defeat Villarreal on Wednesday.

Carvajal and Vinícius back for Real Madrid

For the visit of Las Palmas, Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will have a bolstered arsenal of weapons at his disposal. Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior are both fit again, and are the major new faces in Los Blancos’ squad for matchday seven.

Carvajal missed the games against Union Berlin and Atlético with a minor muscle issue, while Vinícius had been in line to return to availability from a hamstring injury in time for the derby, only to drop out of the squad on the day of the game because of a stomach bug.

Ancelotti was also set to welcome Arda Güler back from injury, but the Turk - who had recovered from a knee injury - has now suffered a thigh strain. Alongside Güler, long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão complete Madrid’s current injury list.

Will Carvajal and Vinícius start?

With Carvajal and Vinícius now back fit, it remains to be seen whether Ancelotti will opt to restore them to the starting line-up right away or ease them back into the side from the bench.

Lucas Vázquez and Joselu Mato could get the nod ahead of the pair, in an XI that may include Ferland Mendy at left-back, after the Frenchman got his first game time of the season at Atlético.

There may also be other changes at the back. Nacho Fernández is in contention to come in for David Alaba, who hasn’t missed a minute so far this term.

In midfield, Ancelotti went for experience at the Metropolitano, starting both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric; against Las Palmas, he could place his faith back in youth by fielding Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga.

Possible Real Madrid XI vs Las Palmas:

Kepa; Carvajal/Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo and Joselu/Vinícius.

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