Returning: Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is set to make his first appearance of the season as the Real Madrid midfielder makes his comeback from a shoulder injury.
The England international has been sidelined since the start of the campaign after undergoing surgery on an issue that had been hampering him long-term.
The former Borussia Dortmund man dislocated his shoulder against Rayo Vallecano back in 2023, but waited to get the injury properly repaired.
The 22-year-old returned to training last week, and has been named by Xabi Alonso in Los Blancos’ matchday squad for their Champions League opener against Marseille.
Bellingham has not played since the Club World Cup, where Madrid were beaten 4-0 in the semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.
He played 58 games in all competitions last term, netting 15 times as Real missed out on the La Liga title to Barcelona, and they were knocked out in the last eight of the Champions League by Arsenal.
Read More
How to watch Athletic Club vs Arsenal: Champions League TV channel and live stream
How to watch Tottenham vs Villarreal: Champions League TV channel and live stream
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds
Everything you need to know about England Rugby’s Red Roses squad
Bellingham’s injury also meant that he was not in Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia earlier this month.
Real have started the season well, winning all four of the opening league games to top the table.
They held on to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 last weekend, as Dean Huijsen was shown a red card in the first half.
Madrid face English opposition later this year in the Champions League, when they - and former Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold - travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on matchday four in November.
They then host Man City at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday six at the start of December.