Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to shuffle his pack for Saturday's La Liga clash with Cadiz.

Los Blancos suffered a 3-2 loss to Villarreal in the league last weekend, and they have now dropped 13 points behind league leaders Barcelona at the top of the table.

The reigning Spanish and European champions recorded a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, though, and now Ancelotti is expected to protect a number of key players ahead of the second leg next week.

Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema could drop down to the bench, with Lucas Vazquez and Nacho potentially starting in the full-back areas.

Antonio Rudiger was a late substitute against Chelsea but could be brought into the middle of the defence, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos are in line for midfield roles.

Marco Asensio came off the bench to score Real Madrid's second in their last match, and the Spaniard could now start in a front three with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.

Eduardo Camavinga started at left-back against Chelsea but might now be moved into central midfield, while Eden Hazard will hope that there could be a role for him off the bench.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Nacho; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Ceballos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius

Written by
Matt Law