Real Madrid XI vs Alaves: Confirmed early team news, predicted lineups, latest injuries for LaLiga game

Eden Hazard will make his Real Madrid return in the LaLiga clash against Alaves tonight after missing the last two games through injury.

The Belgian attacker picked up a knock in the win at Espanyol on June 28 and was subsequently absent for a pair of 1-0 victories over Getafe and Athletic Club.

Ahead of the trip to San Mames, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he hoped Hazard would be back before the end of the season, but then revealed on Thursday that the former Chelsea player would be involved against Alaves.

“It was just discomfort, it wasn’t a relapse (after his ankle surgery),” Zidane said in his pre-match press conference.

“He trained normally this morning. I hope he is with us for these four games [in LaLiga] and in the Champions League.”

Vinicius Junior should also be involved despite a problem with his coronavirus test, which came up with an error and needs to be repeated ahead of Friday’s game.

Meanwhile, striker Luka Jovic is isolating as a precautionary measure against Covid-19, according to reports in Spain.

Defenders Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal are suspended, but Raphael Varane is available again after a neck problem which saw him miss Sunday’s win in Bilbao.

Carvajal has no like-for-like replacement in the Madrid squad with Alvaro Odriozola currently on loan at Bayern Munich, while Marcelo is also set to miss out after training alone on Thursday.

Nacho is still sidelined and Eder Militao will be used in central defence, so Zidane only has Ferland Mendy fit at full-back and may have to play Lucas Vazquez on the right of his back four.

Gareth Bale started his career as a left-back, but Zidane has said in the past that he would not pick the Welshman in that position.

Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Varane, Militao, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Isco; Benzema, Hazard

Alaves predicted XI: Jimenez; Navarro, Magellan, Laguardia, Marin; Vidal, Camarasa, Pina, Rioja; Perez, Joselu

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