Real Madrid face Mallorca on Saturday in their final game before the September international break.
Despite starting the 2025/26 campaign with victories in their first two La Liga matches, Los Blancos have been on the receiving end of some criticism about their performances, with head coach Xabi Alonso trying different combinations in his lineups to determine what works best.
Madrid, who concluded last season with a second-place La Liga finish and no major trophies aside from the UEFA Super Cup, will be hoping to keep pace with champions Barcelona while Alonso gets fully adjusted to his surroundings.
Mallorca, meanwhile, are yet to claim their first win of the season. They faced reigning league champions Barca in their opening game and suffered a 3-0 defeat, followed by a 1-1 draw against Celta de Vigo in their second clash in the Spanish top flight.
Madrid have a good record against Mallorca in La Liga, with 43 victories and just 11 defeats in 66 games.
Real Madrid vs. Mallorca lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Real Madrid have four absentees in their squad due to injuries. Earlier last week, Endrick sustained thigh problems, while Ferland Mendy is back in training after a lengthy injury spell but yet to make his first appearance this season.
Jude Bellingham underwent shoulder injury after the FIFA Club World Cup and is reportedly expected to return to action in late September, while Eduardo Camavinga has been out due to an ankle injury.
Alonso is expected to make some changes to the formation in comparison to their last lineup against Oviedo and bring back Vinicius in the starting lineup. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a battle to win back his place from Dani Carvajal, with the former Liverpool star enduring a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Carvajal, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras — Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler — Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Injured: Bellingham (shoulder), Camavinga (ankle), Mendy (muscle), Endrick (thigh)
Suspended: None
Mallorca's Samu Costa suffered a knee injury in their first league match of the season, and while reports suggest that the midfielder is back in training, his availability is still in doubt.
Head coach Jagoba Arrasate,is expected to bring on his best players against Real Madrid with some changes to the lineup.
Mallorca predicted starting XI (3-4-1-2, right to left): Roman (GK) — Kumbulla, Raillo, Valjent — Morlanes, Darder, Lato, Mojica — Torre — Muriqi, Asano
Injured: Samu (knee, doubt)
Suspended: None
Real Madrid vs. Mallorca match details
- Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
- Kickoff time: 9:30 p.m. local / 8:30 p.m. BST / 3:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. AEST (Aug. 31)
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid (Spain)
- Competition: La Liga
- Referee: —
- VAR: —
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