Real Madrid will be looking to make it consecutive wins at the start of the 2025/26 season when they hit the road to face newly promoted Real Oviedo.
Despite not being at their best, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid did secure all three points in the opening league game and will now look to build on it when they face Real Oviedo, who suffered a defeat on their return to the top flight.
After finishing third in the second division, Real Oviedo won the promotion play-off to secure a return to the top flight. On matchday 1, they squared up against Villarreal, who dominated the ball and created more chances and were deserved winners on the night.
While Alberto Reina’s red card did hamper their chances, the home side will still have to put up a much better performance if they want to stand a chance against Real Madrid. On the other hand, the visitors had a disappointing campaign last time out, following which they decided to bring in Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
After a decent showing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Alonso kick-started the La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Osasuna. While Los Blancos dominated the ball and took a lot of shots at goal, they lacked creativity and finish in the final third.
The Spanish manager will be hoping they are more clinical in the final third against Oviedo. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Oviedo
The home team will be without the services of Alvaro Lemos due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Santiago Colombatto, Jaime Seoane, and Lucas Ahijado are all fitness doubts. While David Costas is back after serving a suspension, Alberto Reina is unavailable following the red card last time out.
Against Real Madrid, Real Oviedo could line up in a 3-4-3 formation, where Aaron Escandell will be in goal. In the heart of the defence, David Costas will start alongside Leander Dendoncker and Dani Calvo.
Out wide on the flanks, Ignacio Vidal Miralles and Rahim Alhassane will take up the roles of wing-backs. Meanwhile, Kwasi Sibo will partner with Luka Ilic in central midfield. The duo will look to shield the backline.
Ilyas Chaira and Haissem Hassan will provide width to their attacks, while Salomon Rondon will be leading the line for Real Oviedo against Real Madrid on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Escandell; Costas, Dendoncker, Calvo; Vidal, Ilic, Sibo, Alhassane; Chaira, Rondon, Hassan
Real Oviedo vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso will remain without the services of Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga. However, they do have a boost as Antonio Rudiger is expected to be back in the squad, having served a suspension last time out.
Xabi Alonso’s team will line up in a 4-3-3, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras should continue to be the two full-backs. Meanwhile, Eder Militao should partner with Dean Huijsen in the heart of the defence.
Aurelien Tchouameni will take up the defensive midfield role, and he will have Federico Valverde and Arda Guler in his support. The trio will look to dominate the ball and control the tempo of the game.
Following Franco Mastantuono’s impressive cameo off the bench, Alonso will be tempted to start him, but he might still stick with Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Junior on the flanks. The Argentine playmaker will most likely make another appearance off the bench. Kylian Mbappe should continue to lead the line for Real Madrid against Real Oviedo.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler; Brahim, Mbappe, Vinicius
Real Oviedo vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Key Stats
Real Oviedo are back playing top-flight football for the first time since 2000-01.
The home team have only won 14 out of their last 85 matches against Los Blancos.
Last time the two teams met was in the Copa del Rey back in November 2022; Los Blancos won 4-0 on the night.
Three of the last four league encounters between the sides have finished level.
Their most recent league clash ended in a 1-1 draw in June 2001.
Player to Watch
Arda Guler
Embed from Getty Images
Guler was involved in a total of 49 matches last season, and he ended up contributing towards 17 goals. Despite racking up just over 2,100 minutes of first-team action, he proved to be quite a valuable substitute option for Carlo Ancelotti.
Under Xabi Alonso, however, his role has changed drastically. While the Turk previously operated mainly as a number ten or right-winger, most of his appearances now come as a central midfielder. The 20-year-old adapted well to that role in the season opener, and given the start he has made, he could have a major influence on this fixture as a deep-lying playmaker.
Prediction
Real Oviedo 0-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid might not have been at their fluent best in the opening fixture, but with the kind of squad depth and quality they possess, they should have little trouble against newly promoted Real Oviedo. Xabi Alonso will be demanding a more clinical performance in the final third.
As for the home side, while their promotion story was commendable, their lack of cutting edge was exposed in the defeat to Villarreal. Facing Real Madrid will be an even bigger challenge, particularly with Alberto Reina suspended and several players carrying fitness concerns.
Unless Salomon Rondon can produce a moment of magic up front, Real Oviedo are likely to struggle against the intensity and firepower of Real Madrid. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Xabi Alonso and his charges.