Guler, Tchouameni start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Valencia

Guler, Tchouameni start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Valencia Real Madrid will be aiming to make it eight wins in a row when they lock horns with Valencia later tonight at Mestalla in La Liga. Since the defeat to Atletico Madrid in September, Los Blancos have gone on a seven-game winning streak, beating the likes of AS Roma, Barcelona, RB Leipzig, and Villarreal along the way. Real Madrid’s most recent game ended in a scintillating 3-2 comeback win over AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League. With this being the final match before the international break, Jose Mourinho & co. will be eager to sign off on a high, while also aiming to put pressure on rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who face off tomorrow at the Metropolitano. Real Madrid go into the game boosted by the return of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni , who were rested for the trip to Athens earlier this week. However, Vinicius Jr. misses out as he will serve the final of his four-match ban, while Raul Asencio, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy remain unavailable due to injuries. Here’s how Mourinho could set his team up against Javier Aguirre’s Valencia outfit tonight as he targets another win at Mestalla. Defence Thibaut Courtois is the absolute undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will hold on to his place in the team. The Belgian international will be eager to secure a clean sheet, with Los Blancos having managed only one in their last six games. Federico Valverde set to start. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) As for the defensive line, there will be changes, with Mourinho already confirming that Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate will feature as the centre-backs, replacing Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger who played in the midweek win. Captain Federico Valverde is expected to return to the starting XI after scoring the match-winner against Athens. As he did in the Clasico , the Uruguayan international is expected to start at right-back ahead of Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold. On the left side of the defence, Alvaro Carreras could get the nod over Marc Cucurella, who has started in the last three matches for the visiting side. Midfield Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to slot back right into the starting lineup for Real Madrid after being rested in the win over AEK Athens. The French international will replace his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga as the defensive midfielder in the team’s double pivot. Partnering him will once again be summer signing Bernardo Silva , who has grown in stature in recent weeks and is starting to showcase his influence on the pitch. Bernardo Silva’s influence and importance growing. (Picture credit: Real Madrid website) Jude Bellingham , fresh after being named Real Madrid’s Player of the Month for October, will continue as the attacking midfielder, hoping to extend his impressive run of form. Attack Back in the squad after being rested for the trip to Greece, Arda Guler will slot into the starting XI against Valencia, occupying the right flank from where he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. Yan Diomande , who has been on a hot streak since the last international break, will start on the left flank again with Vinicius Jr. unavailable. Kylian Mbappe will occupy the centre-forward position for Real Madrid and look to add to his tally of 16 goals this season. The likes of Endrick, Carlos Espi, and Brahim Diaz will hope to get some minutes off the bench.