How Real Madrid could line up against Cadiz

Real Madrid will once again cope without Karim Benzema and Antonio Rudiger for Thursday's La Liga clash with Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The duo were both absent from Monday's 3-2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, with Benzema dealing with muscular fatigue in his left thigh, and Rudiger nursing overload in his right hip.

Neither Rudiger nor Benzema will be fit to line up here, but the latter has still been named in France's squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

However, Los Blancos will be boosted by the return of Toni Kroos from suspension, and the Germany international will certainly come straight back into the first XI on Thursday.

Kroos's re-introduction should see Federico Valverde move to the right wing alongside Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior up front, as Marco Asensio makes way.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric are both expected to hold their places, but Eduardo Camavinga is waiting in the wings if the latter is deemed in need of a rest.

With Rudiger missing out again, an unchanged backline of Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba and Eder Militao should protect Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr