Real Madrid returns to El Sardinero on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, to face Racing Santander in Matchday 11 of La Liga, marking the club's first top-flight visit to Santander in 15 years. Coming off a high-stakes 2-1 victory over rivals Barcelona in El Clásico, manager José Mourinho's squad aims to secure its sixth consecutive win across all competitions and keep pressure on league leaders Barcelona and second-place Atlético Madrid.
Real Madrid Looks to Build on El Clásico Momentum
Real Madrid enters the weekend in third place in La Liga with 24 points, three behind Barcelona and one behind Atlético Madrid. The team's recent form has been bolstered by strong offensive output, having scored 25 goals in domestic play this season.
Kylian Mbappé continues to lead the attack for Los Blancos after scoring both goals in the victory at the Camp Nou. However, Mourinho must navigate several squad absences for Sunday's match:
Vinícius Júnior: Serving the third match of a four-game suspension.
Fede Valverde: Sidelined with an injury sustained during El Clásico.
Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio: Ruled out due to injuries.
With Valverde unavailable, Trent Alexander-Arnold gets the start at right-back, joining Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, and Marc Cucurella in defense ahead of returning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Bernardo Silva anchor the central midfield, providing support for an attacking line featuring Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomandé, and Mbappé.
Racing Santander Prepares for Historic Home Fixture
For host Racing Santander, Sunday's match represents a major event. The club is hosting Real Madrid in a La Liga fixture for the first time since September 2011, when the two sides fought to a scoreless draw at El Sardinero.
Racing currently sits 13th in the standings with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and five losses. Manager José Alberto López's side arrives with renewed confidence after winning back-to-back matches, including a 2-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga and a 2-0 mid-week triumph against Ribadesella in the Copa del Rey.
Despite their recent success, Racing's primary challenge lies in defense. The team has conceded 26 goals in league action this season, making defensive solidity a top priority against Real Madrid's potent frontline. Racing's projected attack includes veteran midfielder Sergio Canales alongside Íñigo Vicente and striker Yassir Zabiri.
Key Match Details and How to Watch
The Matchday 11 fixture is set for Sunday afternoon in Santander, Spain:
Date & Time: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 4:15 p.m. local time (10:15 a.m. ET / 8:15 a.m. MT).
Venue: Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, Santander, Spain.
United States Broadcast: ESPN Deportes (TV), ESPN+, and fuboTV (streaming).
Mexico Broadcast: Sky Sports and Sky+.
Spain Broadcast: DAZN LaLiga, Movistar+, and Orange TV.
While Real Madrid enters as the heavy favorite based on recent form and squad depth, Racing Santander will rely on home-field advantage and a boisterous crowd to pursue an upset in front of their home fans.
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