Carvajal, Fran Garcia and Gonzalo Garcia To Start | 4-3-1-2 Real Madrid Predicted Lineup Vs Elche

Madrid—Real Madrid return to La Liga action on Saturday night when they welcome struggling Elche to the Santiago Bernabéu, and interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa is poised to shake up his starting XI after Wednesday’s morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Arbeloa is expected to retain the 4-3-1-2 shape that served his side so well against the English champions, but three fresh faces could be promoted from the opening whistle: veteran right-back Dani Carvajal, energetic left-back Fran Garcia and 20-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia.

Between the posts, Thibaut Courtois will look to build on the clean sheet he posted in midweek. In front of him, Antonio Rüdiger and teenage centre-back Raúl Asencio will anchor a back four that conceded no chances of note against City. Carvajal and Fran Garcia have been encouraged to push high and provide width, knowing that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen offer experienced cover from the bench.

The midfield trio picks itself on current form. Aurélien Tchouameni will sit deepest, with Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde shuttling box-to-box. All three will be tasked with dominating possession and quickly feeding Arda Güler, the Turkish playmaker entrusted with the No. 10 role and the bulk of creative responsibility.

Up top, Vinícius Júnior will partner Gonzalo Garcia in a strike pairing that combines blistering pace with raw enthusiasm. Brahim Díaz, who has sparkled in cameos this season, is likely to start among the substitutes alongside promising youngsters Franco Mastantuono and Thiago Pitarch Pinar, each of whom could be unleashed in the second half if Elche remain stubborn.

Kick-off at the Bernabéu is set for 21:00 CET as Madrid aim to consolidate their place in the top four and keep the feel-good factor rolling after their European statement win.

Real Madrid predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Asencio, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Güler; Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo Garcia.