No Keylor Navas, he is out injured so Casilla would be in the posts. Fully expect at least a 3-0 comfortable win where I can switch out to go stream another match despite what would probably a rotation Saturday due to our match on Tuesday against PSG.

I also expect Chad to blame Ronaldo for something.

Benitez says he isn't going to risk Navas, Ramos, James nor Benzema.
That said line-up likely is

Kiko, Danilo, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Modric, (possibly Casemiro if he goes with 3 midfielders), Kroos, Bale (is he ready?), Ronaldo, Isco, (possibly Jese or Lucas if he stays with 4 forwards)

just read that Bale is out as well, so for front 3 or 4, it's Ronaldo, Isco, Jese and/ or Lucas with Denis available on bench.

At midfield it's Kovacic and / or Casemiro available on bench and no one (other than Arbeloa) on bench.

Yañez gets his first game on bench.

That means several Castilla players on bench. Perhaps one of them might get into game as sub.

I´m watching to see if Odeguard makes the squad. He is making noise again about not enjoying being with Castilla and wants to go out on loan (to a 1st level team) come January. Does anyone (Hala ?) know how he is doing at Castilla. The team is doing well, but I haven't heard his name. We frequently hear of Borja Majoral and Asensio at Espanyol, but I haven't heard a thing about him!

Odegaard has been dissapointing for Castilla. Zizou has had to sub him at ht on occasions and finds himself on the bench alot. He wants to go out on loan in january which is a good idea imo

If he is struggling with Castilla, I doubt him going elsewhere would help his cause.

I dont think he has fully assimilated to the Castilla environment yet and probably never will. He doesnt work very hard and the players complain about him given preferential treatment (training with the first team etc), These are the same guys who have complained abput Enzo being given preferential treatment by being given the captains armband and he is actually passionate and works hard on the pitch. They are a diffiicult lot

Benitez surprisingly isnt being fazed by politics and has told Odegaard to focus on becoming a regular for Castilla. For the first time in like forever we have a coach who calls up Castilla players who deserved to be called up. I remember Carlo neglecting Burgui last season and gave Odegaard his first minutes over other guys who deserved it more. No defender is called up because noone is any good, many of our midfielders are called up because thats where many Castilla players have impressed. Now the only thing left is giving them enough minutes to impress

i don't see how a loan move will help his cause if he isn't cutting it at castilla...unless its a loan move back to norway, i don't see a la liga club, not even those at the bottom looking to get a 16 year old on loan. i mean, how's a 16 year old going to help them avoid relegation?

Tbf i never thought Casemiro would make it either after his disaster spell with Castilla. People differ i guess. If Odegaard went to a team where he'd be a starter he would pogress alot

Canales was a perma starter before we poached him i remember and that 17 yo kid frm Benfica recently wore the captains armband. So its possible. You just have to work hard

true, but which team in the league wants a 16 year old starter? and who's to say teammates at other primera teams won't complain of favoritism should he go and start. casemiro had played like 3 or 4 full seasons in brazil when we signed him, and i think he was 20 or 21 when we signed him. odegaard doesn't have the same experience under his belt

and the roles are different, casemiro's position is expected to anchor the midfield, work hard and tackle; a job many players don't look forward to do. odegaard as an attacking mid is supposed to create something from out of nothing, and at his age and inexperience, i'm not sure what team will want him on loan as their starting number 10...maybe another team in segunda or his former club

Jese ffs 10/10 half from him. Isco also having a splendid game. Those two swap wings every 3 seconds lol. So impressed. Danilo and Marcelo playing great. Ronaldo must feel so bored not being involved in our build up lol.

We are playing a 4141 formation which looks to be our most solid one yet. All of Casemiro, Modric and Kroos impressing in it so are our 2 wingers and fullbacks. Pretty crappy goal to give up though, dude had a free header. Not fair to Casilla who's an excellent keeper

Meh second half but we still couldve score at least 3 more

Ronaldo taking a free kick from nearly the half way line and shooting it straight at the keeper like a shot from your son in your back garden afraid to piss off a nasty neighbour. What an idiot

I wonder who will be bnched between James and Benzema when everyone are back. Casemiro, Modric and Kroos seem to be Rafa's back bone in the XI.

Didn't expect any resistance from Las Palmas and they didn't disappoint my expectations at all. I concur with Hala, Ronaldo looks increasingly bored not being involved, I personally suggest bringing a crossword during those lull moments.

All in all, solid win and now, Paris.

Doc wrote:
I also expect Chad to blame Ronaldo for something.

I died

Anyway, great result for us. We've done pretty well with several of our key players still out injured. Have nothing to complain here.