Verdict: Real Madrid to score in both halves
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With nothing left to play for this season, a struggling Real Madrid will welcome Oviedo to the Bernabeu on Thursday night.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, falling to a 2-0 loss away at arch-rivals Barcelona last weekend and with the final nail in their title dreams, Real Madrid will shockingly once again finish the 2025/26 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles. At the heart of what has become a public soap opera behind the scenes and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Los Blancos will return to the Spanish capital on Thursday night knowing that they could be set for a fiery reception. Watching their Champions League adventure come to a rollercoaster end last month as they eventually slumped to a 6-4 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich, the 15-time European champions have drastically failed to find any kind of stability. Despite opening May with a 2-0 victory against Espanyol, Real Madrid have remarkably won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
Real Madrid Team News
Missing out away at Barcelona last weekend following a high-profile altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde is not expected to feature here. Likewise, dealing with a stacked injury list, Los Blancos will be without the likes of Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Brazilian international Rodrygo.
However, despite coming under a huge amount of recent scrutiny from his own supporters, French skipper Kylian Mbappe could make his return. Veteran defender David Alaba could be handed a first La Liga start since the start of March.
Real Oviedo
As for the visitors, while Real Oviedo might have clung to a 0-0 stalemate at home against Getafe last time out, their immediate Segunda return was confirmed with time to spare. Still sat rock-bottom of the La Liga standings, Guillermo Almada’s downbeat squad have come crashing back down to earth since their late flurry on either side of March’s international break. Getting May underway with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Real Betis, Thursday’s guests have claimed just a sole point from their previous three top-flight showdowns. Likewise, hit with another 3-0 loss when they welcomed Los Blancos to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere for their reverse La Liga meeting back on August 24th, it is no surprise that Oviedo are installed as a landslide underdog when they travel to the capital in midweek.
Real Oviedo Team News
Both shown respective second-half red cards against Getafe last weekend, the duo of Kwasi Sibo and Javi Lopez will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, limping off after just 12 minutes and expected to leave the club this summer, ex-Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will not feature on Thursday night.
Bagging nine La Liga strikes this season and one of Oviedo’s only positive sparks, Uruguayan striker Federico Vinas will lead the line in Madrid. Making a permanent switch from English outfit Reading last summer, Oviemuno Ejaria could feature.
Real Madrid vs Real Oviedo Key Factors to Consider
When Real Madrid and Oviedo met for their reverse La Liga showdown back on August 24th, Los Blancos secured a 3-0 victory on their travels.
However, the Spanish icons have remarkably won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
Madrid have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 11 consecutive matchups in the Spanish capital.
Sat rock-bottom of the La Liga standings, Oviedo’s immediate Segunda return was officially confirmed last week.
Oviedo’s last three La Liga matchups away from the Estadio Carlos Tartiere have produced 12 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Watching arch-rivals Barcelona officially defend their La Liga crown last weekend following their 2-0 loss in Catalonia, Real Madrid should be bracing themselves for a fiery reception when they return to the capital on Thursday night. Showing a string of glaring issues and at the heart of an ongoing soap opera, Los Blancos are desperate to just find some kind of La Liga boost. Landing a 3-0 victory when they met Oviedo for their reverse top-flight showdown back in August, Madrid will be desperately hoping for a repeat display.
Verdict: Real Madrid to score in both halves
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
