How Real Madrid could line up against Chelsea

Real Madrid attacker Eden Hazard will not be able to face his former club Chelsea in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international recently underwent an operation to remove an osteosynthesis plate on his right fibula and is fighting to return to action before the 2021-22 season ends.

Luka Jovic is also out due to ankle discomfort but was never going to start this week, and Carlo Ancelotti will not be able to call upon Isco for the trip to London owing to a back issue.

One former Chelsea man who is certain to start is Thibaut Courtois, who ought to be protected by David Alaba and Eder Militao, although the latter will miss the second leg if he is booked on Wednesday.

Ferland Mendy is a shoo-in at left-back, but Dani Carvajal could displace Lucas Vazquez on the other side of the defence after the latter started in the weekend's victory over Celta Vigo.

The quick turnaround will not be too kind on Luka Modric's 36-year-old legs, but the Croatian should still start on his return to the English capital alongside Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio are the most likely options to support Karim Benzema, who only needs one more goal to become the highest-scoring Frenchman in a single Champions League campaign with nine.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior

> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for the first leg