Real Madrid: How They Will Line Up vs. Real Valladolid in La Liga?

After Wednesday night's comprehensive victory over Galatasaray, Real Madrid return to league action on Saturday when they are visited by Real Valladolid.

Since losing to Barcelona at Camp Nou, Carlo Ancelotti has steered his side to four straight La Liga wins and they will be heavy favourites to make it five this weekend.

They may well have to do it without Cristiano Ronaldo again. The Portuguese forward missed the 4-1 win against Galatasaray—which saw Sergio Ramos sent off in the first half—with the same injury which saw him taken off in the second half of the 5-0 win against Almeria.

According to Goal.com, Ancelotti told the press that he will not be rushing his No. 7 back either. "We won't risk and play Ronaldo on Saturday against Real Valladolid," he said. "Not unless he is 100 per cent fit."

After Valladolid, Madrid play a Copa del Rey match which Ronaldo is suspended for, meaning he could find himself with an extended break.

That should pave the way for Angel di Maria—who scored one and created one against Gala—to continue on the left of Madrid's attack, while Gareth Bale is in line to start his eighth straight match for Los Blancos on the right.

In between those two Karim Benzema, who took a rest in the Champions League, is likely to displace Jese Rodriguez as the central striker. Jese, 20, started his first game for the club on Wednesday night, but was sacrificed in the first half.

"I'm a little sad I needed to change Jese, who is in a very good form," Ancelotti told Marca about his decision. "But I needed to put a defender on. I told Jese that I needed to do it because Ramos did not need to take that risk, he just had to get the other side of him."

Isco, after a mesmeric performance against Galatasaray, is deserving of keeping his place, although the return of Luka Modric, who was suspended midweek, provides food for thought for Madrid's Italian coach.

He looked to have found his favoured formation in recent weeks—with Modric lining up alongside Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in a 4-3-3—but Khedira's injury has seen a throwback to 4-2-3-1.

It means that now only Alonso is guaranteed a start in Madrid's midfield.

The candidates to play alongside him are Modric, Asier Illarramendi and Casemiro. For Valladolid's visit Ancelotti may well opt for Modric over Illarra; the Croatian has not played since the international break.

In the heart of the back four Pepe will once again line up next to Ramos with Raphael Varane still unavailable for selection, as reported by AS prior to the Galatasaray win. Who flanks those two though will prove more interesting.

Alvaro Arbeloa put in an explosive second half performance in Europe which yielded a goal, an assist and a yellow card for simulation in the penalty box, but he's suspended this weekend which will allow Dani Carvajal to start.

Madrid were also boosted by the return of Marcelo, who came through over 70 minutes on Wednesday, and the Brazilian's comeback means Ancelotti won't have to dip into his pool of youngsters.

Presumably Diego Lopez, not Iker Casillas, will occupy the goalkeeper gloves.

Predicted Real Madrid XI: Diego Lopez; Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric; Gareth Bale, Isco, Angel di Maria; Karim Benzema

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