Real Madrid lineup vs. Athletic Bilbao: Predicted Los Blancos XI for La Liga showdown

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to work around the absence of Kylian Mbappe for Sunday's La Liga contest against Athletic Bilbao, with the forward unavailable for selection due to a suspension.

Mbappe was sent off in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Alaves in La Liga last weekend, and he will sit out this match, but he has only received a one-game ban, with the Frenchman's return therefore potentially coming against Getafe on April 23.

Endrick is an option to come into the centre-forward role, but it is more likely that Brahim Diaz will be introduced down the right, with Rodrygo then moving into the middle for the Spanish and European champions.

Eduardo Camavinga missed Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League due to a European suspension, but the midfielder will be back for this match and is expected to start.

Federico Valverde may be moved into the right-back role due to the threat of Athletic's Nico Williams, with Lucas Vazquez potentially dropping out, while Fran Garcia could come in for David Alaba on the opposite side.

Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin both have slight chances of returning to the squad following muscular issues, but Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined with knee injuries.

Antonio Rudiger continues to deal with muscular fatigue, but the Germany international will again be required in the middle of the Real Madrid defence on Sunday night.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Camavinga, Bellingham, Tchouameni; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius