Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Getafe today on LaLiga matchday 34

Real Madrid host Getafe on matchday 34 of LaLiga today, in a game that is of little consequence to Los Blancos, but has a lot riding on it for the visitors.

Madrid are third in the table, one point behind Atlético Madrid and seven clear of Real Sociedad. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have no chance of bridging the 14-point gap separating them from leaders Barcelona - who can seal the title this weekend - and, with a 14-point lead of their own over fifth-placed Villarreal, they are in no danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.

Getafe in trouble at the bottom of LaLiga

Getafe, on the other hand, sit 18th in LaLiga and find themselves deep in a relegation dogfight. Indeed, Los Azulones’ struggles this term saw them fire head coach Quique Sánchez Flores at the end of April, with José Bordalás returning to the hotseat at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.

Ancelotti to shuffle pack ahead of UCL decider

Madrid also head into today’s clash with one eye firmly trained on Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City. In the opener at the Bernabéu, the Spanish and European champions earned a 1-1 draw that left the tie on a knife-edge ahead of the decider at the Etihad Stadium.

So far this season, Madrid have lifted the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. They quickly lost ground on a hugely consistent Barça in LaLiga, but have made up for that in other competitions - and the icing on the cake would be a second straight Champions League title. With Los Merengues bidding for a 15th European crown, Ancelotti is to make changes against Getafe. Karim Benzema, David Alaba and Rodrygo Goes didn’t train yesterday and won’t be included in Madrid’s matchday squad, which is to be announced today.

Asensio, Díaz among players set to come in for Madrid

Thibaut Courtois will start in goal as always, while right-back Dani Carvajal is suspended after his sending-off against Real Sociedad. He will be replaced by Lucas Vázquez. Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger will start at centre-back - with one of the two, probably Rüdiger, dropping to the bench in Manchester - and Nacho Fernández will come in for Eduardo Camavinga at left-back.

In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni is set to return to the line-up at anchorman, with Camavinga and one of Fede Valverde and Dani Ceballos completing the midfield three. Under normal circumstances, Ancelotti could be expected to give Valverde a rest, but Ceballos is returning from injury and might not be fit enough to play from the start. First-choice midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will wait on the bench in case they’re needed in the second half, albeit Madrid’s head coach won’t turn to them unless it’s absolutely necessary.

In attack, Marco Asensio is set to play on the right wing, while Vinícius Júnior is likely to retain his spot on the left (Ancelotti has said the Brazilian will play against Getafe, albeit he hasn’t confirmed whether he will be in the XI). At centre-forward, Mariano Díaz is in line for his second league start of the campaign. Eden Hazard is not expected to make the line-up even for this game: Ancelotti has zero confidence in the Belgian.

Real Madrid’s potential starting XI vs Getafe:

Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Nacho; Valverde or Ceballos, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Asensio, Mariano and Vinicius.