Real Madrid seeks to keep the momentum flowing after an emphatic 4-0 win over Osasuna when they visit Estadio Municipal de Butarque this Sunday evening to take on Leganes. As Los Blancos hunt down La Liga toppers Barcelona, Leganes, fresh off their victory against Sevilla, hope for an upset against the current Spanish and European champions.
Match Preview
The Resilient Return of Leganes to La Liga
Leganes is back in La Liga and has been strong after winning the Segunda Division title this season. The visitors sit 14th with 14 points from 13 games (3 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses) as El Lega seeks its first-ever league victory over Real Madrid.
Recent Form: DDLWLW (La Liga)
Home Strength: 10 points from six home matches, conceding just four goals.
Key Matchup History: The last two La Liga meetings at Butarque ended in draws, including a 2-2 result in July 2020.
Real Madrid’s Title Pursuit
Real Madrid sits second in La Liga with 27 points from 12 matches (8 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss). A game in hand keeps them six points behind leaders Barcelona. Despite early-season struggles, Carlo Ancelotti’s side seeks to build on recent domestic and European victories.
Recent Form: WDWWLW (La Liga)
Star Power: Vinícius Júnior’s hat-trick and Jude Bellingham’s first league goal of the season powered their win over Osasuna.
Champions League Concerns: Two losses in four group-stage games add pressure ahead of a crucial match against Liverpool next week.
Head-to-Head Insights
Leganes: No wins over Real Madrid in La Liga history; two victories came in the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid: Unbeaten in this fixture, yet the last couple of trips to Butarque have both been draws.
Team News
Leganes
Injury worries are Renato Tapia, Enric Franquesa and possibly Dani Raba. Changes must be made:
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Defensive Change: Javi Hernandez probably replaces Franquesa at left-back,
Midfield Inclusion: Julian Chicco is likely to replace Tapia.
Key Player: Miguel de la Fuente, match-winning penalty scorer against Sevilla, up front.
Probable Starting XI:
Dmitrovic; Alti, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Hernandez; Chicco, Cisse; Cruz, Brasanac, El Haddadi; De la Fuente
Real Madrid
The absentees through injury are a long list, with Lucas Vázquez, Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba. Thibaut Courtois comes back into the lineup.
Defensive Shuffle: Federico Valverde expected at right-back; Raúl Asencio likely partners Rüdiger in central defense.
Midfield and Attack: Luka Modrić and Brahim Díaz could feature, while Bellingham, Vinícius, and Kylian Mbappé headline the attack.
Probable Starting XI:
Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Modrić, Camavinga, Bellingham; Díaz, Mbappé, Vinícius
Match Prediction
Though Leganes is a good test given their solid backline and results at home, the visitors will have enough quality to keep them at bay. This will be a hard-fought win.
Prediction: Leganes 1-2 Real Madrid
