Laliga is finally back. Benzema is still injured should be back for next game though Crooktrao is unavailable because he has just started his preseason Pepe is back though but Benitez is unlikely to risk him this early in the season when he has such a fine replacement in Varane.

Sporting have just been promoted so we should win this. Bale is likely to continue playing CAM while the question mark is whether Isco is to start or Jese

Likely line up:


Casemiro on for Kroos or Kovacic for Modric depending on the scoreline. Isco on for James or jese whoever played the worst between the two.

Crooktrao is doing training on his own to get up to speed before joining in with the rest

Squad for the game:

Goalkeepers: Kiko Casilla, Keylor Navas and Ruben Yanez.
Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo Carvajal, Danilo and Nacho.
Midfielders: Kroos, James, Bale, Casemiro, Kovacic, Modric and Isco.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lucas Vázquez and Jesse.

Lovely to see Pepe's determination to make it eventhough he was first predicted to miss the game. No Cherychev, Illarra and Arbeloa who have been cut out from the squad

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNHGKP9UkAABNzS.jpg