Real Madrid lineup vs. Espanyol: Predicted Los Blancos XI for La Liga affair amid Xabi Alonso's defensive issues

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso could bring Raul Asencio into the starting XI for Saturday's La Liga clash against Espanyol due to his suspension and injury problems at the back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines with the hamstring issue that he suffered during the Champions League contest with Marseille on Tuesday night.

Dean Huijsen is suspended, meanwhile, due to the red card that he picked up against Real Sociedad last weekend.

Dani Carvajal would have been an option to feature in the middle, but he is now needed at right-back, while Antonio Rudiger is a long-term absentee with a muscular problem.

Alonso has the option of dropping Aurelien Tchouameni into the back four, but it is more likely that Asencio, who was linked with a move away from Bernabeu over the summer, will earn his first start of the season.

Ferland Mendy is still injured, but Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga were back on the bench against Marseille and are expected to feature off the bench in this contest, while Endrick has also returned to the squad.

There should also be a recall in a wide area for Vinicius Junior, with Rodrygo set to drop out.

Kylian Mbappe has been in red-hot form this season, scoring six times in five appearances, and the France international is again set to feature through the middle for the capital giants this weekend.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Asencio, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe