When Real Madrid and UD Almeria square off on the road at the Power Horse Stadium on Saturday night, they will be looking to make it two victories in a row in the 2023–24 La Liga.

With a convincing 2-0 victory over Athletic Club on the road at San Mames to start the season, Real Madrid will be looking to build on that success with yet another impressive performance.

Real Madrid will be eager to establish an early lead over their arch-rivals after champions Barcelona dropped points in the opening match week.

Carlo Ancelotti expects to be without five players for the match against Almeria due to injuries, which have not been kind to Los Blancos thus far in the season. Due to injuries, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler, Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos, and Ferland Mendy will not play.

Eduardo Camavinga is also experiencing some discomfort in the meanwhile, and a decision on his participation will be taken in light of how he feels about the game. Here is how Ancelotti might prepare his players for their matchup with Almeria on Saturday.

Starters

One of the big questions before the game was whether Ancelotti would choose to keep Andriy Lunin in goal or give new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga his Real Madrid debut.

However, the manager has answered all of those questions by announcing earlier today that Lunin will start in goal against Almeria.

Due to Eder Militao’s injury, Antonio Rudiger will get the start at the center of the defense with David Alaba, where they will face a challenging test.

As usual, Dani Carvajal will play right back, with Fran Garcia, a recent addition, likely to play left. The two full-backs should often press high up the field, according to Ancelotti. With the Frenchman gradually returning to form at the base of the midfield diamond, Aurelien Tchouameni is unavoidable.

As one of the interior midfielders, Federico Valverde ought likely to keep his spot, but Toni Kroos might be preferred over Eduardo Camavinga given the latter’s recent fitness concerns.

Jude Bellingham made an impressive Real Madrid debut against Athletic Club, scoring a goal and controlling play. He will undoubtedly start at position No. 10, behind Rodrigo Gomes and Vinicius Jr. in the offensive line-up.

Courtois; Carvajal; Rudiger; Alaba; Garcia; Tchouameni; Valverde; Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo; and Vinicius make up the Real Madrid predicted starting lineup.

Substitutes

Luka Modric will undoubtedly play a few minutes in the second half, particularly if things are not going well for Real Madrid. Ancelotti will also use Joselu if he needs to change things up in the attacking third.Brahim Diaz hopes to make the most of any minutes that come his way because he hasn’t broken out since coming back from loan.If the manager needs to switch up one of his defenders at any time in the second half, Nacho might be an option. Nico Paz, who has been included in the squad, may make his first-team debut later on, particularly if the match is already won.