Defeat to Valencia last time out saw Real Madrid fall below Atletico Madrid in the La Liga table, and so Carlo Ancelotti will demand a response when Rayo Vallecano come to town on Wednesday.
Fresh off their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Manchester City, Real failed to overcome Valencia and now find themselves facing an uphill battle to finish ahead of their city rivals. Diego Simeone's Atletico are one point ahead with three games to play, so there's no time to waste for Real.
Here's how Ancelotti could set up for this one.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois - Outshone by Giorgi Mamardashvili last time out, Courtois will feel as though he has a point to prove.
RB: Dani Carvajal - After Lucas Vazquez got the nod against Valencia, expect Carvajal to return here.
CB: David Alaba - Alaba was an unused substitute at the weekend and may be brought back in to try and set things right.
CB: Eder Militao - Militao is one of Ancelotti's go-to players and the boss will not hesitate to stick by the Brazilian.
LB: Eduardo Camavinga - He might not want to play here, but Camavinga offers so much from this deep position. Real need him right now.
DM: Toni Kroos - Rested for the first hour of the Valencia game, Kroos' legs should be fresh enough to come back here.
CM: Luka Modric - Off the bench at the same time as his German teammate, expect Modric to start as well.
CM: Federico Valverde - Completing the full change in midfield could be Valverde, who saw just four minutes against Valencia.
RW: Marco Asensio - This spot could be the one handed to Valverde but Ancelotti would be wise to try and bring some more dynamism in attack through Asensio.
ST: Karim Benzema - Benzema is really struggling right now but Real don't have enough quality on the bench to cope without him.
LW: Rodrygo - Vinicius Junior begins his suspension and so Rodrygo should get the chance to switch back over to his favourite left wing for the first time in a while.
This article was originally published on 90min as Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Rayo Vallecano - La Liga.
