Real Madrid missing five players for Sevilla contest

Real Madrid will be without the services of five first-team players for Saturday's clash with Sevilla.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have made an excellent start to their 2023-24 La Liga campaign, picking up 24 points from nine matches, which has left them at the top of the table.

Los Blancos were 4-0 winners over Osasuna before the international break and will now be aiming to make it five straight victories in all competitions when they head to Sevilla this weekend.

Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao remain unavailable for selection due to serious knee injuries, with the former expected to miss the campaign, but the latter is believed to have a chance of returning in March.

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Nacho is also out, with the experienced defender suspended following his red card against Girona at the end of September, but David Alaba has returned from a groin issue to make the squad.

Alaba should therefore line up in the middle of the defence alongside Antonio Rudiger, with Aurelien Tchouameni returning to his usual midfield role, having played at the back against Osasuna.

Arda Guler has made progress in his recovery from a thigh issue, with the summer arrival, who is yet to make his debut, recently returning to training, but this match will come too soon for him.

Meanwhile, head coach Ancelotti revealed during his press conference that Dani Ceballos had picked up a problem in training which would rule him out of the game with Sevilla.

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"Dani Ceballos has suffered a problem. He's out for tomorrow's game... Arda Guler is fine but he still needs time. Should be back in 10 days," Ancelotti said on Friday.

The Real Madrid boss also confirmed that the players involved in South America during the international break would be able to start this weekend despite concerns over tiredness.

"The players are fine. The South American players have recovered well," said the Italian. "Vinicius [Junior], Rodrygo and [Federico] Valverde are fresh and ready to start tomorrow. They're also ready to play 90 minutes."

Ancelotti once again has big decisions to make in midfield, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric battling for starting roles, but Eduardo Camavinga could start at left-back despite Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy both being available for selection.

Real Madrid squad vs. Sevilla:

Lunin, Kepa, Pineiro; Carvajal, Alaba, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim