Predicted XIs Real Madrid-Mallorca: Trent Alexander-Arnold poised for return to starting line-up | OneFootball

After back-to-back wins against Osasuna and Real Oviedo, Real Madrid are aiming to make it three wins from three when they take on Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

It has not been the most convincing start to Xabi Alonso’s reign in terms of performances, but the results speak for themselves. And a victory over Mallorca would ensure that Real Madrid go top of La Liga for the first time this season, with both Villarreal and Barcelona in action on Sunday.

Three changes planned from Oviedo victory

Last weekend, Alonso made the bold decision to drop Trent Alexander-Arnold to the bench, with club captain Dani Carvajal given his first start since tearing his ACL 10 months ago. And while he performed well against Oviedo, Sport say that the former Liverpool defender will return to the line-up for the Mallorca clash.

Diario Sport’s predicted XIs for Real Madrid-RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu (Image via Diario Sport)

Two further changes are expected to be made by Alonso, with Eder Militao and Vinicius Junior replacing Antonio Rudiger and Rodrygo Goes respectively. That would mean that Franco Mastantuono starts his second match in succession, following his move from River Plate earlier this month.

Mallorca also planning three changes

Mallorca have had a difficult start to the season, having faced off against Barcelona and Celta Vigo – both at Son Moix. Real Madrid will not make it any easier for them, and for this one, Jagoba Arrasate is planning three changes: Marash Kumbulla, Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi are set to return to the line-up, with Omar Mascarell, Antonio Sanchez and Mateo Joseph dropping out.

Real Madrid were impressive last time out against Oviedo, and Alonso will be keen to stress that another performance is needed in order to make it three wins from three when Mallorca come to town.