Benzema back: How Real Madrid could line up v Alaves
Karim Benzema should be welcomed back into the Real Madrid side as they take on Alaves on Saturday evening.
The Frenchman missed the clashes with Villarreal and Real Madrid after picking up a hamstring problem prior to the international break, but he should return for Zinedine Zidane's side.
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Mariano has did ok as his replacement, scoring against the Yellow Submarines, but Benzema is the undisputed starter and if available will lead the line.
Either side of him, there were encouraging signs from Eden Hazard against Inter and he will hope to get a run of games after his time in Madrid has been hampered by injury.
On the other side, Lucas Vazquez could also keep his place, after standing in at right-back recently due to Madrid's crisis in that position, and he may be asked to do it again, with Dani Carvajal picking up yet another injury in a stop-start season. Marco Asensio may start in the front three.
Sergio Ramos is working hard to get back to fitness after sustaining a calf problem while playing for Spain, but he will likely sit this out, meaning Nacho and Raphael Varane will continue as the centre-back pairing.
In midfield, Martin Odegaard was handed his first Champions League start for the club in Milan and could be granted another start here, with Luka Modric the one who is perhaps due a rest. Casemiro and Toni Kroos will feature alongside him.
Luka Jovic tested positive for coronavirus after returning from international duty with Serbia, and will likely still be self-isolating and could miss out.