After damaging home defeats to Barcelona in El Clásico and AC Milan in the Champions League, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is likely to revert to type in Saturday’s LaLiga fixture against Osasuna, in which the hosts should line up in a 4-3-3 system.

Tchouaméni injury forces Real Madrid change

Aurélien Tchouaméni’s injury and resulting absence only strengthens the argument for a formation change. Fan favourite Eduardo Camavinga should take his compatriot’s place in the centre of the midfield three, with Fede Valverde, fit after a recent fitness scare, and Jude Bellingham joining the Frenchman in the engine room.

Luka Modric has started two of Madrid’s last three games (against Milan and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League) but looks likely to be named on the bench against Osasuna. Like the rest of the team, the veteran Croat has struggled to hit top form of late, which could see him lose his place to Rodrygo. The Brazilian was a substitute against the Italians in midweek but now appears set to return to the starting lineup on the right wing after recovering from a minor hamstring issue.

With Thibaut Courtois still unavailable, Andriy Lunin will again start in goal, while the absences of Dani Carvajal and David Alaba mean no changes are expected to a defence made up of Lucas Vázquez, Eder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy.

Vinícius Júnior on verge of suspension

Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé will, of course, start in attack. The Brazilian, however, will have to be on his best behaviour as he will incur a one-match suspension (to be served away to Leganés in the next LaLiga game on November 24) if he picks up a yellow card against Osasuna.

All eyes will again be on Mbappé, who has scored just one goal in his last six games. The underperforming 25-year-old was controversially left out of France’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy despite being the national team captain.

Real Madrid’s possible starting XI against Osasuna

Andriy Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Eder, Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé.