Real Madrid hand a first start to Mateo Kovacic for tonight’s La Liga encounter with Athletic Bilbao, who make five changes of their own.

The Croat is expected to debut in his favoured role behind the striker, in this case Karim Benzema, with Isco moving to the right wing in order to accommodate the new boy and Lucas Vazquez being demoted to the substitutes’ bench.

Athletic, on the other hand, suffered for their excessive rotation against Villarreal on Sunday, crashing to a 3-1 defeat at El Madrigal, and consequently recall the likes of Markel Susaeta, Raul Garcia and top goalscorer Aritz Aduriz.

Can’t get to a TV? Our LIVEBLOG has you covered.

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat; Susaeta, Garcia, Sabin; Aduriz

Subs: Iago, Lekue, Gurpegi, Rico, Eraso, Ibai, Sola

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Isco, Kovacic, Ronaldo; Benzema

Subs: Casilla, Arbeloa, Nacho, Casemiro, Cheryshev, Vazquez, Jese

Referee: Mateu Lahoz

La Liga - Club News