Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been unable to recover David Alaba for Tuesday's Champions League Group C contest with Italian giants Napoli.
Alaba picked up a groin issue in the La Liga contest with Las Palmas last week, which saw him miss out against Girona on Saturday, and he has also been left out of the squad for this game.
As a result, Nacho will start alongside Antonio Rudiger in the middle, with Fran Garcia expected to be recalled to the starting side at left-back.
Eduardo Camavinga started on the left side of the defence against Girona, but the France international is expected to be pushed into central midfield for this match.
There remains much discussion surrounding the roles of experienced duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos this season, and it would not be a surprise to see both players start on the bench.
Jude Bellingham scored his seventh goal of the season against Girona on Saturday, and the England international will again feature as the number 10 on Tuesday night.
Fit-again Vinicius Junior will operate in the final third of the field, and there could be a recall for Rodrygo despite the fact that Joselu has now scored four times for the club this season.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, F Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius body check tags ::