Real Madrid travel to Saudi Arabia this week for a Supercopa de Espana semi-final clash with Valencia in Jeddah on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos are enjoying a steadier season under Zinedine Zidane, sitting level on points with leaders Barcelona and unbeaten in all competitions since October 19.
However, they will be wary of the threat posed by Valencia, who beat Madrid 2-1 in April and were seconds away from claiming another victory over the La Liga side last month, only for Karim Benzema to score a last-minute equaliser.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Madrid could line up for this fixture.
Out: Marco Asensio (knee), Eden Hazard (ankle)
Doubtful: Marcelo (calf), Lucas Vazquez (toe), James Rodriguez (knee)
> Click here for Madrid's's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match.
In the grand scheme of things, Zidane will not view this game as one of paramount importance, with Madrid now entering the business end of their campaigns in both La Liga and the Champions League.
As such, the Frenchman may use this game to further blood a number of new signings and youngsters who are yet to fully ingratiate themselves at the Bernabeu.
On the left-hand side of defence, for example, Ferland Mendy - impeded by injury problems this term - will receive another chance after looking solid during a 3-0 win over Getafe last time out.
Moreover, while one of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos will certainly play, it seems likely that the other spot goes to Eder Militao, who has been reduced to just seven appearances in La Liga so far this term.
At the base of midfield, taking the place of Casemiro, will be Federico Valverde - a player whose performances have earned plenty of plaudits in Spain and somebody who is slowly but surely making that defensive midfield position his own.
Further forward, of course, will be the metronomic duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who bring an abundance of experience and class to any game.
In contrast, Zidane is likely to rest Isco and Gareth Bale, who both featured against Getafe, in favour of giving starts to talented young attacking duo Vinicius and Rodrygo - a pair with bucketloads of talent but who are yet to enjoy a regular run of games in the side.
Up front, there is a case to be made that Luka Jovic, another summer signing, should be given a chance to impress, but Zidane will find it very difficult to leave out Benzema, who has 12 La Liga goals already this term and brings maturity to the final third.
body check tags ::
