Real Madrid rely on Mbappe and Bellingham as Inter arrive near full strength

Real Madrid will begin their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham available despite a lengthy list of absentees.

Real Madrid are expected to make several changes because of suspensions and injuries, while Inter Milan travel to Spain with almost their entire squad available. Africafoot has outlined the probable starting line-ups for both sides ahead of the opening-day meeting.

Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho will be without Bernardo Silva and Camavinga, who are both suspended. Rodrygo, Militao, Asencio and Ferland Mendy are also unavailable because of injury.

There are doubts over several other players, although Mbappe and Bellingham have been declared fit and are expected to feature. A number of new arrivals could also be handed starting places, including Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande.

The proposed Real Madrid line-up includes Thibaut Courtois in goal, with Dumfries, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger and Cucurella forming the defensive line.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Federico Valverde are expected to operate as the two deeper midfielders. Yan Diomande, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr could play behind Mbappe, who is tipped to lead the attack.

Real Madrid probable XI

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Marc Cucurella

Defensive midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Valverde

Attacking midfielders: Yan Diomande, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr

Centre-forward: Kylian Mbappe

Inter Milan

Inter Milan have close to a fully available squad for the trip to Madrid. Nicolo Barella, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu are all available, while new signings Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Stankovic, Jones and Provedel can also be considered for selection.

Alessandro Bastoni remains at the club and could be named in the starting line-up. In attack, Pio Esposito is competing with Thuram for a place alongside Lautaro Martinez.

Inter’s projected formation places Josep Martinez in goal, with Bastoni, Benjamin Pavard and Akanji expected to form a back three.

Calhanoglu and Barella could be joined in midfield by Petar Sucic and Andy Diouf, while Luis Henrique is also included in the probable side. Lautaro Martinez and Pio Esposito are the expected forwards.

Inter Milan probable XI

Goalkeeper: Josep Martinez

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni, Benjamin Pavard, Manuel Akanji

Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Petar Sucic, Andy Diouf, Luis Henrique

Forwards: Lautaro Martinez, Pio Esposito

The match will be Real Madrid’s first fixture in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, with Inter Milan providing the opposition at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The betting company 1xbet lists Real Madrid as favourites, offering odds of 1.60 for a home victory. A draw is priced at 4.40, while an Inter Milan win is rated at 5.40.