A whole week with a single objective: Valencia. It’s a rarity in modern football, but Álvaro Arbeloa has finally enjoyed a clear schedule to prepare for the trip to the Mestalla—a luxury in a season defined by congestion.
This extra time has been ideal for fine-tuning a side that the boss believes is still far from its full ceiling, and crucial for recovering exhausted legs. While the official squad won’t be confirmed until Sunday morning, the good news is that Trent, Rüdiger, and Mendy have a strong chance of returning.
However, the trip to Valencia comes with headaches. Arbeloa is forced to shuffle the deck significantly due to major absences.
The Injury & Suspension Blow
We are heading into this clash without some of our biggest heavy hitters.
- Vinicius Jr: Suspended (accumulated yellow cards against Rayo).
- Jude Bellingham: Injured early against Rayo.
- Rodrygo: Ruled out Friday with hamstring tendinosis (sidelined for a couple of weeks).
- Eder Militão: Still unavailable.
These absences rip the heart out of our usual attack, but they also open the door for a tactical reshape.
The Defence: Trent Returns?
The Englishman has the best chance of making the starting eleven, and his return couldn’t come at a better time. Trent slotting back in at right-back solves a major structural issue, allowing Fede Valverde to finally move back into his natural habitat in midfield.
In the center, expect to see the youthful pairing of Asencio and Huijsen continue, with Carreras holding down the left-back spot.
Midfield & Attack: The New Look
With Trent likely back in defense, the engine room gets a massive boost. Tchouaméni will anchor the midfield, flanked by the returning dynamism of Valverde and Camavinga.
This shift has a domino effect up top. It allows Arda Güler to push higher up the right side of the attack—a position where his creativity can truly shine.
The big question mark is on the left. Without Vini or Rodrygo, Arbeloa has a decision to make:
- Switch Mastantuono to the left wing.
- Hand the start to Brahim Díaz.
One name is not in doubt: Kylian Mbappé. The league’s top scorer (22 goals) leads the line, looking to repeat his redemption arc against Valencia after finding the net against them earlier this season.
Predicted Starting XI
Courtois; Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Güler, Mbappé, and Brahim (or Mastantuono).
Bench Watch: Barring surprises, expect to see Lunin, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy, Fran García, Ceballos, and Gonzalo. Academy talents David Jiménez and Cestero could also make the trip.
Note: Mastantuono is one booking away from missing the Real Sociedad match, so discipline will be key.
