Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane must decide whether or not to risk Casemiro at Valencia on Sunday night, with the midfielder in danger of missing Wednesday’s Clasico clash against Barcelona through suspension.
The Brazilian is just one booking away from a ban and a yellow card at Mestalla would see him sit out the top-of-the-table match at Camp Nou in midweek.
“We know his importance and everyone else’s,” Zidane said on Saturday. “The coach will have the final word. You’ll see tomorrow.”
After last weekend’s win at home to Espanyol, the Frenchman was also asked about Casemiro and hinted he would be involved in Valencia.
“He’ll have to cope,” Zidane said.
Zidane also has a dilemma at left-back, with Marcelo out injured and Ferland Mendy suspended after his red card in the victory over Espanyol.
Nacho is back after a spell on the sidelines and he looks the most likely option to fill in on the left, although Eder Militao is another alternative.
Gareth Bale could return to the starting line-up after a hamstring issue, but Eden Hazard, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio are all out injured.
Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Casemiro, Modric, Valverde; Bale, Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
Predicted Valencia XI (4-3-3): Domenech; Wass, Garay, Paulista, Gaya; Parejo, Coquelin, Soler; Torres, Moreno, Vallejo.
