How Real Madrid will line up against Sporting

Cristiano Ronaldo starts against his former club, while Zinedine Zidane must decide between Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata in the striker position

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is set to field a strong side for the visit of Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The defending champions are back in action in the continental competition for the first time since lifting the trophy for a record 11th time at San Siro last May.

Cristiano Ronaldo will start for Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu after making his return from injury on Saturday in the 5-2 win over Osasuna and Zidane said on Tuesday that the idea is for the Portuguese to compete the full 90 minutes against the club where he began his career.

Karim Benzema is available again after featuring as a substitute in that match, but it seems more likely that Zidane will keep faith in Alvaro Morata and use the Frenchman later on in the game.

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas trained on Tuesday at Valdebebas, but Zidane admitted he is not ready to return and Kiko Casilla will therefore start between the sticks.

Marcelo, who spoke alongside Zidane in the pre-match press conference, will start on the left of defence, with Dani Carvajal returning on the right after resting against Osasuna. Pepe and Sergio Ramos are likely to be the two centre-backs.

And barring surprises in midfield, the French coach will opt for his first-choice trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. Isco and Marco Asensio were left out of the matchday squad.