LIVE BLOG: Racing Santander vs Real Madrid | LaLiga
Real Madrid are chasing their sixth consecutive victory since the international break, but face a Racing Santander side that have yet to lose at home this season.
Real Madrid visit El Sardinero to face Racing Santander on Sunday, November 1, at 10:15 AM Eastern Time (ET), in a LaLiga fixture that presents contrasting challenges for both teams.
Racing have collected all 11 of their league points at home, where they remain unbeaten this season.
Meanwhile, José Mourinho's Real Madrid are looking to extend their winning streak following their victory over Barcelona.
Real Madrid Look to Build on Their Clásico Victory
The visitors arrive after beating Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, overcoming their first major challenge of the campaign.
It was the opening fixture in a sequence of four consecutive away matches for Mourinho's team, with the visit to Racing marking the second.
Real Madrid have enjoyed a week without a match because of their exemption from the early rounds of the Copa del Rey.
However, with a Champions League fixture in Athens scheduled for Wednesday, José Mourinho could make changes to his starting lineup.
Mourinho Faces Selection Decisions Ahead of Racing Clash
Thibaut Courtois could return in goal after missing the Clásico because of flu.
Federico Valverde has regularly featured at right-back, although he trained separately from the squad on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after leaving the Barcelona match with discomfort in his right leg.
Marc Cucurella could also be rested on the left, while Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konaté and Antonio Rüdiger remain options in central defense. Éder Militão has returned from injury after featuring against Sevilla.
In midfield, Mourinho could combine a more technical player with a physically stronger partner, an approach he highlighted after the Barcelona victory. The Portuguese coach has used seven different double-pivot combinations in 13 competitive matches this season.
Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé have been regular starters, while Diomande has made a strong case for his place. Endrick, who started against Sevilla, is another option in attack.
Vinícius Júnior is unavailable, serving the third match of a four-game LaLiga suspension following his dismissal against Villarreal for pulling Saliba's hair.
Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo have yet to resume training with their teammates, while Ferland Mendy remains doubtful.
Racing's Home Record and Sergio Canales' Reunion
Racing Santander enter the match with an unbeaten home record and 11 points in LaLiga, all earned at El Sardinero.
The fixture also brings a reunion for Sergio Canales, who previously played under Mourinho at Real Madrid.
Canales joined the Madrid club from Racing in 2010 at the age of 19, but received limited playing time before moving to Valencia the following year.
Coach José Alberto López will be without Jorge Salinas because of a yellow-card suspension, with Aarón Martín expected to replace him at left-back.
Racing will look to create chances through Iñigo Vicente's penetrating passes and Yassir Zabiri's runs behind the defense.
Zabiri has scored eight goals, with only Kylian Mbappé and Raphinha ahead of him in the scoring charts.
Andrés Martín missed Friday's training session because of minor discomfort, potentially opening the door for Pablo García.
Real Madrid's Recent Dominance Over Racing
The two clubs last met in February 2012, when Mourinho was also in charge of Real Madrid.
Racing's last competitive victory over the Spanish giants came in April 2007, when they won 2-1 at home.
Since then, the teams have met 10 times, with nine Real Madrid victories and one draw.
Predicted Lineups: Racing Santander vs Real Madrid
Racing Santander: Agirrezabala; Mantilla, Pablo Ramón, Belocian, Aarón; Pablo García, Iván Martín, Canales, Prati, Vicente; Zabiri.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Bernardo Silva, Camavinga; Endrick, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappé.
Three Storylines to Follow at El Sardinero
- Sixth straight victory: Real Madrid are looking to extend their winning streak after defeating Barcelona.
- Unbeaten at home: Racing have earned all 11 of their LaLiga points at El Sardinero.
- A reunion and a scoring threat: Sergio Canales faces his former club, while Yassir Zabiri enters the match with eight goals.
