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Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid monitor England star's shoulder problem

Real Madrid ace Jude Bellingham is a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League Group C game against Braga after suffering a shoulder injury on Sunday.

The England international has made a stunning start to his Real career after joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and manager Carlo Ancelotti will be reluctant to take any risks with his fitness.

Real, who have won their first three games in Group C, are 1/4 to beat 10/1 visitors Braga on Wednesday.

They are 13/2 to go on and be crowned European champions for a record-extending 15th time this season.

WhatReal Madrid v Braga
WhereSantiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When20:00, Wednesday 8th November
How to watchTNT Sports 4
OddsReal Madrid 1/4, Draw 11/2, Braga 10/1

Bellingham emerges as Golden Boot contender

Not much has gone wrong for Jude Bellingham since he arrived at Real, but he had a frustrating evening on Sunday as Los Blancos were held to a goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

Those dropped points left Real in second place in the Spanish top flight, two points behind surprise leaders Girona and two clear of champions Barcelona.

Bellingham scored both of his side's goals in a 2-1 Clasico victory against Barca on 28th October, netting the winner in the 92nd minute, and the old rivals dominate the title betting in Spain.

Real Madrid are 8/13 to finish top of the table with Barcelona 2/1, Atletico Madrid 7/1 and current leaders Girona 33/1.

And Bellingham has emerged as a shock contender for Top Goalscorer honours in La Liga after dazzling Real supporters with 10 goals in his first 11 league starts.

The 20-year-old Birmingham City youth product is 6/4 to finish the 2023/24 campaign as Top Goalscorer, although prolific Barca striker Robert Lewandowski is also priced at 6/4.

Lewandowski returned from injury in El Clasico and has scored five goals in eight league starts this season, while Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, at 9/1, and Alvaro Morata, at 10/1, are seen as the biggest threats to the front two in the betting.

Real in charge of Champions League group

Helping Real to regain the Spanish title from rivals Barcelona would represent a great start to Bellingham's career in Madrid, especially if he can extend his hot streak in front of goal.

However, Real fans also demand success in Europe and their new hero has played a key role in their winning start to the Champions League campaign.

Bellingham scored a late winner against Union Berlin on matchday one and was also on the scoresheet in the 3-2 away victory over Italian champions Napoli.

He scored for the third straight Champions League game on the matchday three trip to Braga, where Real won 2-1, and is 5/6 in the Anytime Goalscorer market for Wednesday's return fixture if he recovers in time to face the Portuguese club.

Real will be monitoring Bellingham's fitness closely before deciding whether or not to play him against Braga.

"He has a problem with his shoulder," Ancelotti said on Monday. "He will undergo medical tests and I hope he can play on Wednesday against Braga."

Given that Real are 1/10 to win Group E, a cautious approach is likely as Bellingham has already established himself as a crucial part of Ancelotti's plans.

Club form bodes well for England

It is not just Real fans who will be hoping to see Bellingham back in action as soon as possible, as the youngster has a pivotal role to play for England too.

He scored the Three Lions' first goal of the 2022 World Cup campaign in their 6-2 rout of Iran and has already won 27 international caps under Gareth Southgate.

The midfielder claimed his second England goal in September's 3-1 friendly win against Scotland and played 85 minutes of last month's 3-1 home win over Italy in qualifying for Euro 2024.

That result sealed England's qualification for next summer's finals and they are 4/1 to win Euro 2024, with World Cup runners-up France 9/2 and tournament hosts Germany 13/2.

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