Racing Santander vs Real Madridpredicted line-ups, prediction and how to watch

Predicted line-ups, prediction and how to watch for Racing Santander vs Real Madrid: everything you need to know before the game.

Racing Santander host Real Madrid at El Sardinero on Sunday 1 November, with kick-off at 4.15pm local time, in matchday 11 of LaLiga.

The hosts sit 14th on 11 points. The visitors are third on 24, three points behind leaders Barcelona.

Match preview

Racing are back in the Spanish top flight after 14 years, and their season has been one of contrasts. They are unbeaten at El Sardinero, with three wins and two draws from five games, scoring 11 and conceding eight.

Away from home it has been a different story. The Cantabrians have lost all five road games, scoring four and conceding 18, and their overall goal difference stands at -11.

Recent form is mixed. Racing came from behind to beat Espanyol 2-1 on 24 October and won 2-0 at Ribadesella in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. Before that they lost 2-0 at Osasuna, drew 2-2 with Valencia and were beaten 5-0 by Celta Vigo.

Yassir Zabiri is the main threat with eight goals. Sergio Canales, who now faces Madrid again, is the team's leader and the man who sets the tempo in midfield.

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid arrive in the best form of their season. They have won five in a row: 1-0 against Villarreal, 4-3 at Roma in the Champions League, 4-1 against Sevilla, 4-1 against Leipzig and 2-1 at Barcelona in El Clasico on 25 October.

In that run they have scored 15 and conceded six. At home they have won all five league games, scoring 17 and shipping just three.

Their away record is more modest, with three wins and two defeats, eight goals scored and seven conceded. Kylian Mbappe leads the scoring charts with 11 goals, while Jude Bellingham has three.

The head-to-head favours Madrid. In the last four league meetings they won three (4-0, 3-1 and 6-1) and drew one, a 0-0 in Santander in September 2011. Racing have not hosted Madrid in the top flight since then.

The context is clear. Madrid want to close the gap on Barcelona in the title race, while Racing are looking to stay in mid-table and end a poor away run.

Team news

Racing will be without Jorge Salinas, who is suspended for accumulated yellow cards. Aaron Martin is expected to take his place at left-back. Simon Eriksson is injured, and Matteo Prati, on loan from Cagliari, is listed as a doubt or an absentee depending on the outlet.

For Madrid, Vinicius Junior serves a suspension after his straight red card. Raul Asencio, with a broken leg, and Rodrygo, with a knee injury, are also out. Valverde is a doubt with a hamstring problem.

The probable XI published by Sports Illustrated shows a 4-2-3-1 for both sides, with Zabiri leading Racing's attack and Mbappe up front for Madrid. Other outlets differ on the goalkeeper and the right-back for Madrid, so the team could change.

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