Racing Santander vs Real Madrid: La Liga preview, predictions, team news and TV info

Real Madrid are unbeaten in ten meetings with Racing Santander, winning nine of them, prevailing 4-0 when the pair most-recently clashed at the Bernabéu in 2012. Los Verdiblancos have won only two of their last 19 fixtures against los Blancos, the most-recent of which was a 2-1 victory in April 2007 when Fabio Capello was in the visiting dugout.

So, ahead of this La Liga clash on Sunday afternoon, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.

Racing Santander vs Real Madrid match info

Date: Sunday 1 November 2026.

Kick off times: 4:15pm (local) and 10am (ET)

Competition: La Liga matchday 11

Venue: Campos de Sport de El Sardinero - Santander

How to watch: ESPN+ (USA), Movistar+ (Spain) and Premier Sports (UK).

How can I watch Racing Santander vs Real Madrid?

Racing Santander vs Real Madrid match preview

After propelling themselves back into the La Liga title race, it is vitally important that Real Madrid avoid slipping up here. Last Sunday night, very much against the odds, José Mourinho's team pulled off a 2-1 Clásico victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou. Kylian Mbappé was the hero, scoring twice, the first one rather hit him on the way in, but the second rounded off an excellent team move, set up by Eduardo Camavinga.

It is impossible to overstate how crucial this victory was in the La Liga title race. Had Barça won, as most expected, they would have moved nine points clear of their great rivals. In reality, los Blancos are now just one point below Atlético and a mere three adrift leaders Barcelona.

Given that those two teams face-each-other at the Metropolitano next Sunday, at least one will drop points, meaning los Merengues are very much back in this title race. ¡Hay Liga! Thus, it is of paramount importance that Mourinho's team do not slip up here.

As for Racing Santander, they are back in the Primera División for the first time in 15 years, having been a third-tier outfit as recently as 2022. Right now, José Alberto López's team are 13th in the table and, if they are still there in May, that would be a major success.

Last weekend, los Verdiblancos fought back from a goal down to beat strugglers Espanyol 2-1 at home, courtesy of goals from Jeanuël Belocian and then Yassir Zabiri, who has been on fire this season.

Racing thereby remain unbeaten at El Sardinero this season, previously beating Alavés and Elche, as well as holding Villarreal and Valencia to draws on their own turf. They have lost all five away matches, including being annihilated 7-2 at Camp Nou, but have turned their home stadium into a fortress. So, will Real Madrid become the first visitors to leave Santander victorious since March?

Racing Santander team news

José Alberto López's team did beat sixth-tier Ribadesella 2-0 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, but he made 11 changes for that match, so is largely forecast to revert back to last weekend's lineup. Asier Villalibre scored both goals off the bench in mid-week, but will not start due to Yassir Zabiri's form.

The Moroccan international, on loan from Stade Rennais, has scored eight goals in ten La Liga appearances, including a hat-trick against Elche. Before this season, he had only ever bagged ten senior goals in his entire career, netting none for Rennes, so this has rather come out of nowhere.

Real Madrid team news

Vinícius Júnior's ban continues, albeit he can feature in Athens on Wednesday, but Thibaut Courtois is set to return in goal, after sitting out the Clásico due to flu. José Mourinho will continue to pick Fede Valverde at right-back, despite having Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries at his disposal, allowing Bernardo Silva to start in midfield with Yan Diomandé on the left wing.

Predicted Line-ups

Racing Santander predicted lineup: Agirrezabala; Mantilla, Ramón, Belocian, Salinas; Martín, Prati, Canales, Martín, Vicente; Zabiri.

Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois; Valverde, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouaméni, Silva, Bellingham; Güler, Diomandé, Mbappé.

Score prediction: Racing Santander 1-3 Real Madrid.