Real Madrid: How Will They Line Up Against Almeria in La Liga Clash?

The return of Xabi Alonso and Gareth Bale in the weeks leading up to the international break provided Carlo Ancelotti with close to a full bill of health in his Real Madrid squad.

However, a long-term injury to Sami Khedira, while he was away with Germany, has ruined any hopes the Italian coach may have had of his squad returning to training this week without altercations.

On the face of it, the loss of Khedira may not seem that pivotal.

Madrid splashed cash on Asier Illarramendi and Casemiro in the summer, Alonso is back in shape, and Luka Modric has been one of the club's brightest performers for the best part of six months now.

However, none do what Khedira does, even if that doesn't necessarily appear to be a great deal to the naked eye at times.

"I'm made a scapegoat," the 25-year old told Kicker (h/t The Guardian). "[The press] don't value me, even when I play well—I'm not Spanish, I didn't cost a lot and I'm a disciple of Mourinho."

Ask Joachim Loew if Khedira will be missed in the German side, though.

"[His injury] is a blow to the neck: a heavy, almost fatal hit," the German boss told the press after learning of Khedira's ligament damage, via ESPN.

And even if his absence isn't thought to be as fatal to Madrid—Khedira, among his fellow countrymen, is considered one of the key ingredients in the German squad—there are no real like-for-like replacements for Ancelotti to consider.

Casemiro is the most similar choice, but for the trip to Almeria, he's more likely to draw his three-man midfield from a short list of Alonso, Illarra, Modric and Isco.

Or could Angel di Maria feature in a central role once again?

Elsewhere Diego Lopez, who wasn't away with Spain this past week, will presumably continue in goal over Iker Casillas, who was.

Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Pepe all came through fixtures with their countries on Tuesday night, and Ancelotti will possibly choose the former two—he desperately needs to find some stability in defence following recent showings.

Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa will continue to battle for the right-back position, and Marcelo should start on the opposite side, after Fabio Coentrao was forced off injured after 52 minutes in Portugal's qualification win over Sweden.

The front three will presumably be, what is becoming affectionately known as, BBC.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo—who's possibly outdoing anything he's done before—both helped their respective countries to the party in Brazil next summer and will be keen to kick on their form with Los Blancos.

Gareth Bale will presumably start on the right.

Prior to the international break, the Welshman told Real Madrid TV how he's feeling much better having rediscovered his fitness (h/t ESPN): "I needed to get my fitness back, get games and get training. Now everyone has seen what I can do. There is still a lot more to come, I know."

That's not particularly good news for Almeria, although with three successive wins after no wins in 10, they'll be quietly looking forward to the visit of Madrid's expensively assembled cast.

Possible Real Madrid XI: Diego Lopez; Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Angel di Maria; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo

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