Real Madrid will be aiming to extend their 100% winning run this season when they play hosts to Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu in Matchday 5 of La Liga on Sunday.

Prior to the international break, Los Blancos picked up four wins in four in the league, with their most recent game ending in a 2-1 victory, courtesy of a late Jude Bellingham winner.

All eyes will once again be on the England international at the Bernabeu, while Carlo Ancelotti is all set to welcome Dani Ceballos back into the squad for the first time this season.

Ferland Mendy has returned to training but is not ready for a return to action on Sunday while Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr are still some way away from a comeback. Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are long-term absentees.

With Barcelona playing Real Betis tonight, Real Madrid could find themselves trailing their arch-rivals in the table and will have their task cut against Imanol Alguacil’s side. With that in mind, here’s how Ancelotti could set his team up on Sunday.

Starters

Kepa Arrizabalaga seems the clear favourite in goal in the absence of Thibaut Courtois, with Andriy Lunin once again becoming the backup option despite starting the first two matches of the season.

There is unlikely to be any rotation in the defensive unit, as Dani Carvajal and Fran Garcia continue as the two full-backs on the right and left sides, respectively. Meanwhile, the central defensive pairing of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger should also be retained.

The midfield department is where things get tricky for Ancelotti as far as selecting his team is concerned.

Aurelien Tchouameni’s imperious form and the lack of a natural backup in the defensive midfield role make him almost a guaranteed starter at the base of Ancelotti’s diamond setup in the centre.

Tchouameni has started the season very well.

With the important UEFA Champions League encounter coming up next week, Ancelotti could decide to protect both his veteran midfield superstars Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for that game.

As such, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga should occupy the two interior positions in the middle of the park for Real Madrid.

Jude Bellingham is a guaranteed starter in the attacking midfield role for the Merengues and will be eager to add to his tally of five goals and continue his spectacular start to life in Spain.

With no Vinicius Jr, the attacking pair of Rodrygo Goes and Joselu pretty much picks itself against Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup: Kepa, Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia, Tchouameni, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, Joselu, Rodrygo.

Substitutes

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos should feature off the bench at some point, with Ancelotti likely to turn to his most experienced players if there is a need for some control in the game.

Brahim Diaz has not had a lot of minutes since returning from AC Milan and will eager to make the most of his opportunity.

Dani Ceballos could be in line for his first appearance of the season, having made his return from injury.