Guler, Huijsen to start | Predicted Real Madrid line-up against Valencia

Following a tough but successful trip to Greece, another away fixture awaits Real Madrid as the Jose Mourinho-led team will be up against Valencia at the Mestalla, with the hosts currently in the relegation zone after enduring a difficult start to the season.

Only Atletico Madrid (8) have conceded lesser goals than the Los Blancos (10) this season, while Valencia have scored the joint least amount of goals along with Malaga and Getafe (8) – proving that goal scoring would not be easy for Valencia against a solid Madrid defence.

With that being said, this is how Real Madrid is expected to line up against Valencia.

GK: Thibaut Courtois

Kept a well-deserved clean sheet against Racing Club in the last league fixture, and the Belgian would be eager to add to his tally tonight.

RB: Fede Valverde

The Uruguayan did not start against AEK Athens as a precautionary measure, but Jose Mourinho brought him on. Valverde answered his call with the match-winning goal and is now in line to make a start tonight.

CB: Ibrahima Konate

Was on the bench for the last match, and it was visible how vulnerable Real Madrid’s new defensive duo looked. The Frenchman has been a force to reckon with this season.

CB: Dean Huijsen

He started slowly this season, but ever since the Sevilla game, Huijsen has shown multiple times why he deserves the coveted number 4 jersey.

LB: Marc Cucurella

Sometimes makes rash challenges and has been lucky not to receive a red card so far, but Cucurella has proven his worth to an extent and seems to have cemented his spot as the first-choice left-back ahead of Alvaro Carreras.

CM: Bernardo Silva

The Portuguese has quietly emerged as one of the most important players in Madrid’s midfield, and Mourinho consistently starting him in matches is evidence of that fact.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni

Along with Arda Guler, he did not travel to Greece but is expected to return to the lineup as a substitute for tonight’s fixture at the Mestalla.

RW: Arda Guler

His absence against Athens showed what Real Madrid are missing and just how much his presence adds to the team. The youngster’s vision and ability to control the tempo of the game should make him an undisputed starter at this point.

CAM: Jude Bellingham

Mourinho has gotten the Englishman back to his best after a quiet last season. Last season, he had a G/A of 13 in 38 matches for Madrid, while this season his G/A is already 8 after 15 matches.

LW: Yan Diomande

Returns to his preferred positions despite possessing the ability to play on both wings. Along with his technical abilities, a trait of his, tracking back and helping Cucurella on the left, has also played a role in him being a constant starter.

ST: Kylian Mbappe

Second highest goal scorer in La Liga this season (12). Tonight he has the best chance to add to his tally and close in on the 3-goal advantage that Raphinha (15) has over him