Likely Real Madrid starting XI to face Arsenal with 5 changes tipped

A look at the likely Real Madrid starting XI to face Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Arsenal and Real Madrid face off in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Tuesday night. The first leg takes place at the Emirates Stadium, with the second leg being played in the Spanish capital next week.

Mbappe will lead the Los Blancos front line | AFP via Getty Images

placeholder image — Mbappe will lead the Los Blancos front line | AFP via Getty Images

Both sides come into this one on the back of disappointing results to different degrees. Arsenal were already all-but out of the Premier League title race, but they drew with Everton over the weekend, while Real Madrid are still in the thick of the La Liga title race, but they fell four points behind leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 home defeat to Valencia.

Los Blancos conceded a winning goal deep into stoppage time, and it was a hugely surprising result, with Valencia having spent this season battling relegation, albeit the win gives them some breathing room.

Fortunately for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, they are still in the title race, while they can still retain their Champions League title, and they also have a Copa del Rey final with Barcelona to play on April 26 having seen off Real Sociedad with the help of extra-time in the recent semi-final.

At Arsenal, Real Madrid will be boosted by the return of Thibaut Courtois, with the starting goalkeeper returning having been out since the international break, but number two keeper Andriy Lunin has not been included in the squad due to a minor injury that also kept him out over the weekend.

Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain out, as does midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who is suspended here due to picking up one too many yellow cards in the competition. You can see the full squad available to Real Madrid at the bottom of this page, but here we round up their likely starting XI.

GK - Thibaut Courtois

The returning stopper has been described as ‘the best in the world’ by Ancelotti, and his return will be a huge boost for Real Madrid.

LB - David Alaba

Ancelotti has a big decision to make at left-back. He could go with Camavinga or Fran Garcia, but given Bukayo Saka’s presence, he may well be tempted to go with experience and play Alaba on the outside here, with the defender also able to play centre-back.

CB - Antonio Rudiger

Rudiger will be one of the first names on the teamsheet given his importance to Real Madrid’s back line.

CB - Raul Asensio

The 22-year-old has been excellent this season having become a regular, and he should get the start here unless Alaba plays centrally. Tchouameni has been getting games at centre-back, but he is not an option here.

RB - Lucas Vasquez

Tried and tested at the very highest level, Vasquez will surely be seen as the most reliable option on the right.

CM - Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga ius another who could be used across the back line, but in games like these, you play your best players in their best positions. Luka Modric is also an option, but Ancelotti has brought him off the bench in recent big games, such as the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.

CM - Fede Valverde

Mr energy, Valverde will likely be tasked with chasing around the midfield, bringing that aggressive intensity to Real Madrid’s game.

CAM - Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is a guaranteed starter, and he will be eyeing a goal on home ground.

RW - Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo should get the nod on the right, even if his spot is the least secure of those across the front line. He should start ahead of Brahim Diaz.

LW - Vinicius Jr

Perhaps the best winger in the world, Vinicius will be starting on the left as he looks to deliver on the big occasion again.

CF - Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe will be looking to give Arsenal’s back-line nightmare as he continues his chase for a first Champions League title. He is the second highest scorer in La Liga this season with 22 goals.