It’s an all Iberian peninsula UEFA Champions League clash as Real Madrid host Braga on Wednesday night. Los Blancos already won the reverse fixture, late last month, and thus they’re heavily tipped to take this midweek meeting, as now they’ll have the home field advantage.
They may not have Jude Bellingham though, as he’s nursing a knock on his left shoulder.
Real Madrid at Braga FYIs
Kickoff: Wed. Nov. 8, 8pm, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Competition: UEFA Champions League Group C Matchday 4 of 6
Fun Fact: Real Madrid is the 11th most searched sports brand in the USA: more here
Real Madrid Preview Content: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Real Madrid 79% Draw 18% Braga 3%
Bellingham will be fine, but he’ll likely rest here. It’s kind of like what’s going on right now with the only other player that can rival him for being best in form right now- Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
Haaland is also dealing with a knock, and will likely be rested for his UCL clash this midweek.
So if Bellingham is out, then who is in? Here is what we think Carlo Ancelotti will go with.
Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction (4-3-3) vs Braga (UEFA Champions League Group Stage)
Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Federico Valverde; Rodrygo, Joselu, Vinicius Jr.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.