How Real Madrid could line up against Villarreal

Real Madrid are again expected to be without the services of six first-team players for Saturday night's La Liga clash with Villarreal at the Bernabeu.

Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Marcelo, Ferland Mendy, Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos were all absent for Wednesday's 6-1 win over Mallorca, and all six are set to miss out once again.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is still expected to make changes against the Yellow Submarine, though, with Luka Modric and Casemiro potentially returning in the middle of the park.

Eden Hazard was an unused substitute against Mallorca, meanwhile, and the Belgium international will certainly be in contention to start on Saturday.

Rodrygo impressed alongside Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior as part of a front three on Wednesday, though, and it would not be a surprise to see the same attack take to the field for this match.

Real Madrid continue to have injury problems at full-back, meaning that Nacho and Miguel Gutierrez should again start for the capital giants.

Marco Asensio scored a hat-trick in the impressive victory over Mallorca, meanwhile, and the Spaniard is set to retain his spot in the starting XI this weekend.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Alaba, Gutierrez; Asensio, Casemiro, Modric; Vinicius, Benzema, Rodrygo