Real Madrid line-up: Diaz and Diomande expected to start on bench against Villarreal

Real Madrid are expected to leave Brahim Diaz and Yan Diomande out of their starting line-up for Saturday evening’s important La Liga meeting with Villarreal.

Jose Mourinho’s side will be looking to restore confidence and ease concerns about their recent level of performance, while also preventing Barcelona from extending the gap at the top. Barcelona face Getafe earlier on Saturday at Camp Nou.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Thibaut Courtois is set to start in goal, with Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries operating as the full-backs. Antonio Rudiger and Ibrahima Konate are expected to form the centre-back pairing.

Konate’s involvement had been uncertain because of knee pain, but the defender was eventually included in the squad. He is now tipped to feature from the beginning despite the earlier doubts over his fitness.

Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to retain his usual midfield role, alongside Bernardo Silva. The Portugal international played only a limited part for his country during the international break and could provide greater control in possession and improve Real Madrid’s team play.

Jude Bellingham is likely to operate behind the main striker in the expected attacking set-up. Vinicius Junior should start on the left, while Kylian Mbappe is expected to lead the attack through the middle.

Arda Guler is tipped to occupy the right side of the forward line, completing a front three supported by Bellingham in the central attacking role.

Federico Valverde is expected to begin the match among the substitutes as a precautionary measure. Diomande is also not expected to start, despite joining Real Madrid this summer from Leipzig for 146 million euros.

Brahim Diaz is likewise likely to be named on the bench, meaning Mourinho’s expected selection would leave both recent arrivals and established first-team options outside the starting XI.

Real Madrid’s expected line-up against Villarreal

Goalkeeper: Courtois

Defenders: Cucurella, Konate, Rudiger, Dumfries

Midfielders: Tchouameni, Bernardo Silva, Bellingham

Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Mbappe