Real Madrid XI vs. Elche: Rotation With Mbappé Still Out — Injury News, Predicted Lineup

Madrid – With one thunderous Wednesday night still reverberating around the Spanish capital, Real Madrid must now pivot from Champions League heroics to domestic duty when they host struggling Elche on Saturday evening. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side, buoyed by a 3-0 statement win over Manchester City in the first leg of the round of 16, know anything less than three points will leave Barcelona’s four-point cushion at the La Liga summit intact.

The victory over City came at a cost. Full-back Álvaro Carreras is battling a calf strain, backup left-back Ferland Mendy has a hamstring issue, and the infirmary remains crowded: Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé are still unavailable, while long-term absentees Éder Militão and David Alaba continue their rehabilitation. Fran García is poised to deputise at left-back for his first league start of 2026; natural midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is also an emergency option should Arbeloa crave extra ball progression from deep.

Central defence is similarly patched-up. Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of next week’s trip to the Etihad, opening the door for Dean Huijsen and academy graduate Raúl Asencio to form an inexperienced but energetic partnership. Dani Carvajal will return at right-back, making only his second start under Arbeloa.

Midfield rotation is inevitable. Aurélien Tchouaméni will yield his anchoring role to countryman Camavinga, allowing Arda Güler to orchestrate from a slightly advanced eight position. Federico Valverde, fresh from a mid-week hat-trick that took his tally to eight goal contributions in seven matches, will start on the right of midfield, while Castilla revelation Thiago Pitarch continues his meteoric rise on the left flank.

Up front, options are scarce. Franco Mastantuono is suspended after his red card versus Getafe, leaving Brahim Díaz to reprise his supporting role alongside Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian has drawn blanks in his last three outings and will view Elche’s visit as an ideal tonic.

Between the posts, Thibaut Courtois—lauded by Arbeloa as “the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid history”—hunts his first La Liga clean sheet since 8 February.

Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-4-2): Courtois; Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, García; Valverde, Camavinga, Güler, Pitarch; Brahim, Vinicius.

Kick-off at the Bernabéu is scheduled for Saturday at 18:30 CET.