After losing 2-0 to Barcelona in Sunday’s Clásico on May 10, Real Madrid has mathematically lost the La Liga title. With three league games remaining, the team faces Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabéu with caution ahead of the Club World Cup and an eye on the future. The 2025/26 season will mark the second consecutive campaign without a major trophy, prompting the club to begin a new cycle. José Mourinho is expected to lead the revival, aiming to end Barcelona’s dominance in Spain, much like he did in the 2011/12 season.
Real Madrid has yet to secure the second-place finish required to qualify for the 2027 Spanish Super Cup. The team needs just one point from the next three matches to lock in the spot, though it is not a major concern for the club.
On the other side, Real Oviedo has been relegated to the Segunda División. After Girona’s draw with Rayo Vallecano on Monday, the Asturian side’s last hope of survival was extinguished, leaving them 10 points adrift of safety. Coach Juan Carlos Álvarez, who led the team to a dramatic promotion via the playoffs just a year ago, now faces the reality of an immediate return to the second tier.
**Head Coach’s Selection Dilemmas**
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti faces significant injury problems that heavily influence the starting lineup against Oviedo. Confirmed absentees include Éder Militão (biceps femoris injury), Federico Valverde (cranial trauma), Rodrygo (cruciate ligament and meniscus tear), Arda Güler, and Ferland Mendy (muscle injuries, with the latter undergoing surgery on Monday). Additionally, Dani Carvajal (finger fracture) and Dani Ceballos (ankle problem) are unavailable.
Players still training individually or doubtful include Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rüdiger, Youssef (due to illness), and notably Kylian Mbappé, who remains the biggest question mark. The Frenchman withdrew from training after learning he would not start in the Clásico, and is still dealing with semitendinosus discomfort.
Regarding the starting XI, Brahim Díaz and Masuito are competing for the right-wing spot, while Fran García is more likely to start at left-back than Carreiras. Thiago Pitaco may feature in the lineup.
**Oviedo’s Situation**
The Asturian side arrives at the Bernabéu already condemned to relegation, missing several key players. Brandon Domínguez (knee injury) and Sidi Bédi (suspension) are definitely out. Dendoncker (illness) and Eric Bailly (cranial trauma) are doubts.
The only certain position in the lineup is goalkeeper Aarón Escandell. Up front, Hassan and Thiago Fernandes are competing for the left-wing role. Additionally, Nacho Vidal, Reina, and Fede Viñas are on yellow-card warnings, meaning a booking would see them miss the next match.
**Predicted Lineups**
**Real Madrid (predicted):** Courtois; Trent, Asensio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Thiago; Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo.
**Real Oviedo (predicted):** Aarón; Nacho Vidal, Kostas, Calvo, Alhassan; Fonseca, Colombatto, Reina; Shahira, Thiago, Viñas.
