Real Madrid are aiming to take advantage ofBarcelona's shock defeat to Las Palmas when they host Getafe in La Liga on Sunday afternoon.
Los Blancos can close the gap to their rivals to a single point should they beat Getafe, with Carlo Ancelotti's side also boasting a game in hand as they aim to defend their title. A concerning defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday evening will have further dented Madrid's confidence but three points at the weekend would provide some welcomed respite.
Carlo Ancelotti's job has been made significantly more challenging by a stream of injuries this season and the likes of Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga are all guaranteed to miss Sunday's clash.
With that in mind, here is how Madrid could line up this weekend.
Endrick
Endrick could make a rare start due to injuries / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
GK: Thibaut Courtois -Liverpool would have run the score up at Anfield if it wasn't for Courtois, who almost proved as impenetrable as he was in the 2021/22 Champions League final. The issues are very much in front of the towering Belgian.
RB: Lucas Vazquez - Federico Valverde's stint at right-back should come to an end against Getafe as Vazquez returns to the starting XI. The Madrid stalwart hardly inspires confidence in the backline but he should be able to cope with the division's lowest goalscorers.
CB: Raul Asencio - Injuries to Militao and Alaba have wreaked havoc on Madrid but Asencio has done his reputation no harm since stepping in. The 21-year-old made an impressive goal-line clearance at Anfield midweek.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - One of Madrid's most consistent performers has been tested by the enforced changes across the defence. However, the German has stood up to the challenge in an imperious manner.
LB: Fran Garcia - Ferland Mendy offered up another shocker against Liverpool as he was torn inside out by Mohamed Salah. Garcia, who had started the two games prior to Wednesday's loss, should get the nod.
CM: Dani Ceballos - Age caught up with Luka Modric at Anfield, with the Croatian left gasping for air as he left the field with ten minutes to spare. The fresh Ceballos could replace the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner on Sunday.
CM: Federico Valverde - Valverde is not a right-back, that much is clear, but he's a tireless worker who has proven an effective cover option for Madrid. Returning to midfield on Sunday, the Uruguayan will have plenty of defensive work to get through without the injured Camavinga and doubtful Aurelien Tchouameni.
CM: Jude Bellingham - Bellingham made a concerning admission about Madrid's lack of motivation midweek and Ancelotti will turn to the Englishman for inspiration against Getafe. He scored a 95th-minute winner in this exact fixture last term.
RW: Brahim Diaz - Diaz was one of Madrid's brighter sparks in the forward line on Wednesday even if he lacked the necessary quality in key moments. An obvious candidate to fill in for Rodrygo, who could be missing on Sunday.
ST: Endrick - The diminutive Brazilian is yet to start in La Liga but a raft of injuries could force a reshuffle. Endrick's opportunities have been few and far between this season but he could prove a match-winner on Sunday.
LW: Kylian Mbappe - Mbappe endured a miserable evening on Merseyside, missing a penalty in a dismal performance. He continues to underwhelm in Madrid colours but a return to the wing in place of the injured Vinicius could help him find some form.
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