Dean Huijsen will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup when they welcome Real Oviedo to the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways and put the controversies and noise in the background when they host Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night. Alvaro Arbeloa has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Dani Carvajal has recovered from a leg injury and is fit and available to take on Real Oviedo in the midweek league fixture. However, Ferland Mendy (ligament), Eder Militao (hamstring), Arda Guler (thigh), Federico Valverde (head), Dani Ceballos (thigh), and Rodrygo (knee) remain in the treatment room.
Additionally, Arbeloa continues to sweat over Kylian Mbappe’s fitness after the French attacker missed last weekend’s El Clasico due to a knock. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the Spanish tactician provided fitness updates on Mbappe and Carvajal. He also discussed the latter’s exclusion from Spain’s preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Real Madrid head coach said, “Well, we’ll see if he [Mbappe] can finish the training session we have ahead. He completed it yesterday, and if he can finish it and is available, then he’ll surely get minutes and the opportunity to continue demonstrating his commitment to the club in these three remaining matches. Despite those four cards, he’ll try to complete these three games, whether by playing, scoring goals, or showing, as I’ve said, his commitment to Real Madrid. As a coach, but especially as a madridista, that’s what I’d like to see.”
“I haven’t been able to talk to him [Carvajal]. It’s a shame. I already said that for me, he’s a player I’d always want on my team because of what he represents, his experience, and what he can contribute on and off the pitch. It’s clear we must always respect the decisions and opinions of other coaches. It’s a pity he can’t defend the national team. Carvajal rejoined the group yesterday as well, and I understand he’ll train normally again and be available for tomorrow’s game. As I said a few days ago, I hope he can finish the season with minutes on the pitch and playing.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him against Real Oviedo on Thursday. The backline will feature Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Fran Garcia.
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga should pair up in the central spots, with Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham completing the numbers in the middle of the park. Finally, Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo Garcia will be the two strikers for the home side. So, Mbappe will be a backup option on the bench if he is available to take on Real Oviedo.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Garcia; Diaz, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham; Garcia, Vinicius Junior