How Real Madrid could line up against Real Sociedad

David Alaba is unlikely to be involved in Real Madrid's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad on Saturday, with the Austrian set to be protected ahead of next week's Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Austria international has returned to training after missing last weekend's contest against Rayo Vallecano due to a thigh problem, but he is expected to sit out this game ahead of the last-16 second leg with PSG.

As a result, Nacho could again feature in the middle of the defence this weekend, while Ferland Mendy and Casemiro are certain starters, as both players are suspended for the European contest next week.

Eduardo Camavinga could come in for Toni Kroos this weekend, with the latter out with a hamstring problem, while Federico Valverde will be absent through illness.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti will resist the temptation to shuffle his pack further forward, though, with Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio again set to operate either side of Karim Benzema, who has fully recovered from a hamstring problem.

Rodrygo and Eden Hazard will be hoping to be involved in some capacity, but the importance of the match means that Ancelotti cannot afford to make wholesale changes, with Sevilla potentially closing the gap at the summit to three points ahead of kickoff at Bernabeu.

Dani Carvajal took a blow to the knee in the latter stages of the win over Rayo last time out, but the Spaniard has been cleared to feature in this match.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Camavinga, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius