Racing Santander vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Racing Santander have been a thrill to watch in La Liga as the Cantabrians now come up against in-form Real Madrid at El Sardinero on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Racing Santander preview: Entertaining Racing
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Racing Santander have been the entertainers in La Liga with their ten matches having consisted of 41 goals and they have been competitive, too.
Racing snatched a late win against Espanyol at El Sardinero last weekend with a late Yassine Zabiri winner before they eventually eased past Ribadesella in the first round of the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Real Madrid preview: In-form Los Blancos
Real Madrid head to Northern Spain on the back of a famous victory at Camp Nou as they defeated the relentless Barcelona by two goals to one in El Clasico with a Kylian Mbappe brace ending Barca’s nine-match winning streak at the start of this season.
Los Blancos have begun to find some form in terms of their performance level after a shaky month or so with that Clasico victory following back-to-back 4-1 victories against Sevilla in La Liga and then RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
Racing Santander team news: Jorge Salinas suspended
Key left-back Jorge Salinas, who was linked with Manchester United over the summer, is missing through suspension for Racing’s visit of Madrid this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Alvaro Mantilla, Pablo Ramon, Caricol, Belocian; Ivan Martin, Prati; Andres Martin, Sergio Canales, Inigo Vicente; Zabiri
Unavailable: Jorge Salinas (Suspended)
Questionable: Eriksson (Fitness)
Real Madrid team news: Fede a doubt
Fede Valverde has emerged as first-choice right-back ahead of both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries but he has picked up a hamstring injury. Thibaut Courtois is expected to return after missing the Clasico due to illness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Dean Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouameni, Silva; Guler, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappe
Unavailable: Raul Asencio (Injured), Rodrygo (Injured), Vinicius Junior (Suspended)
Questionable: Courtois (Illness), Mendy (Fitness), Fede Valverde (Injured)
Key stats
- This is the first La Liga meeting since 18 February 2012, when Real Madrid won 4-0 – Racing are back in La Liga for the first time since 2011/12.
- Racing are winless in ten La Liga games against Real Madrid (D1 L9) since a 2-1 home win on 14 April 2007, scoring three goals and conceding 24.
- Real Madrid lead the head-to-head W18 D6 L4 in 28 La Liga meetings since 1997/98, and Racing have won only two of their 14 home games against them (2-0 in October 2002 and 2-1 in April 2007).
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last five La Liga visits to Racing (W4 D1).
- Real Madrid's joint-biggest wins in the fixture are 6-1 in October 2010 and 5-0 in May 2005, both at home.
- Coming into Matchweek 11, Real Madrid are third with 24 points and have won three in a row, including last weekend's 2-1 win at Barcelona.
- Real Madrid have won all five home games this season but have conceded in each of their five away games (W3 L2).
- Racing have conceded in 26 consecutive La Liga games, since a 0-0 home draw with Atlético on 11 February 2012, and their 26 goals conceded this season are the most in the division.
- Racing are unbeaten at home this season (W3 D2) and have scored at least twice in every home game.
- Away from home Racing have lost all five games, scoring four and conceding 18 – they and Getafe are the only sides without an away point.
- Racing's games this season have averaged 4.10 goals, second only to Barcelona's 5.10.
- Real Madrid have won 280 of their 439 La Liga games on a Sunday since 1997/98 (W280 D89 L70).
‘Key stats’ are La Liga only (not all competitions)
Racing Santander vs Real Madrid prediction
Racing Santander have a sold out crowd at El Sardinero and they will be expected to take the game to a Madrid side that have lacked control at times this season. The visitors have begun to find some cohesion and control as the season has gone on, though, and so siding with Madrid remains the way to go, albeit it should again be quite a fun watch for the neutral.
Racing Santander vs Real Madrid tip: Real Madrid to win & over 2.5 goals
