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Jan 8, 2020 at 7pm UK
 
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1-3

Parejo (92' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-2)
Kroos (15'), Isco (39'), Modric (65')

How Real Madrid could line up against Valencia

How Real Madrid could line up against Valencia
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at how Real Madrid could line up for Wednesday's Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Valencia.

Real Madrid travel to Saudi Arabia this week for a Supercopa de Espana semi-final clash with Valencia in Jeddah on Wednesday night.

Los Blancos are enjoying a steadier season under Zinedine Zidane, sitting level on points with leaders Barcelona and unbeaten in all competitions since October 19.

However, they will be wary of the threat posed by Valencia, who beat Madrid 2-1 in April and were seconds away from claiming another victory over the La Liga side last month, only for Karim Benzema to score a last-minute equaliser.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Madrid could line up for this fixture.



POSSIBLE RMAXI v VAL

Out: Marco Asensio (knee), Eden Hazard (ankle)
Doubtful: Marcelo (calf), Lucas Vazquez (toe), James Rodriguez (knee)

> Click here for Madrid's's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match.

In the grand scheme of things, Zidane will not view this game as one of paramount importance, with Madrid now entering the business end of their campaigns in both La Liga and the Champions League.

As such, the Frenchman may use this game to further blood a number of new signings and youngsters who are yet to fully ingratiate themselves at the Bernabeu.

On the left-hand side of defence, for example, Ferland Mendy - impeded by injury problems this term - will receive another chance after looking solid during a 3-0 win over Getafe last time out.

Moreover, while one of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos will certainly play, it seems likely that the other spot goes to Eder Militao, who has been reduced to just seven appearances in La Liga so far this term.

At the base of midfield, taking the place of Casemiro, will be Federico Valverde - a player whose performances have earned plenty of plaudits in Spain and somebody who is slowly but surely making that defensive midfield position his own.

Further forward, of course, will be the metronomic duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who bring an abundance of experience and class to any game.

In contrast, Zidane is likely to rest Isco and Gareth Bale, who both featured against Getafe, in favour of giving starts to talented young attacking duo Vinicius and Rodrygo - a pair with bucketloads of talent but who are yet to enjoy a regular run of games in the side.

Up front, there is a case to be made that Luka Jovic, another summer signing, should be given a chance to impress, but Zidane will find it very difficult to leave out Benzema, who has 12 La Liga goals already this term and brings maturity to the final third.

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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their second goal against Espanyol on December 7, 2019
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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