Real Madrid host Shakhtar Donetsk this evening at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the third round of the Champions League group stages, with kick-off scheduled at 9pm local time.
Carlo Ancelotti is not expected to make many changes to the team that drew against Osasuna over the weekend.
With Thibaut Courtois still on the sidelines, Ukrainian youngster Andriy Lunin is expected to stand between the sticks once again.
Dani Carvajal will most likely make way for Federico Valverde in midfield, who will provide more threat going forward. Éder Militão is expected to start ahead of Antonio Rüdiger to play alongside David Alaba, which appears to be the Italian coach’s preferred centre-back pairing.
Even though he returned to training, Luka Modrić is still not deemed fit to play in a competitive match.
AS predict that Ancelotti will field the following starting XI vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Andriy Lunin – Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy – Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Toni Kroos – Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior.
GSFN
