Overview
This season is a big disappointment for Real Madrid. Their hopes of competing for the La Liga championship officially closed after a 0-2 defeat to Barcelona - a result that helped the Catalan team win the championship, and at the same time forced Alvaro Arbeloa's team to once again experience a season without titles.
The defeat to Barcelona continues to extend Real Madrid's series of unforgettable results against their arch-rivals. Blaugrana once defeated them in January, and the latest defeat made the atmosphere at the Bernabeu even heavier, especially with a team that is always expected to compete for major titles.
Before round 36, Real Madrid won 24 matches, drew 5 and lost 6 matches. These numbers show the quality of the Royal Spanish team, but instability has prevented them from maintaining the championship race for most of the season.
Los Blancos scored 70 goals and conceded 33 times, possessing the second best attack and defense in the league, only behind champion Barcelona in both statistics.
At home at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid still shows formidable strength with 14 wins, 1 draw and only 2 defeats after 17 matches.
However, their recent form in all competitions is quite unstable when they have only won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 in the last 5 matches. Therefore, Arbeloa certainly wants his players to respond to the defeat against Barcelona with a convincing performance at home.
Meanwhile, Real Oviedo travels to Bernabeu as a team that has officially been relegated. The 1-1 draw between Rayo Vallecano and Girona makes the representative of Asturias no longer have a chance to escape the bottom three and have to play in Segunda Division next season.
This is a difficult season for Oviedo. After 35 rounds, they are at the bottom of the table with 29 points, 6 wins, 11 draws and 18 losses. This team has only scored 26 goals but conceded 54 times.
Oviedo's away record is also very poor when they have only won 2 out of 17 away trips, besides 4 draws and 11 defeats. Therefore, the away trip to Bernabeu is considered one of the most difficult challenges left for Guillermo Almada's team.
In the most recent round, Oviedo drew 0-0 against Getafe at home in a match with two red cards, a factor that will certainly have a significant impact on their preparation for this confrontation.
The last time the two teams met, it ended with a 3-0 victory for Real Madrid. Most of the previous encounters between the two clubs took place from the early 2000s and all showed a significant difference in class.
Personnel situation
Real Madrid is likely to be without Dean Huijsen, while Dani Ceballos continues to be absent due to a thigh injury.
Rodrygo is still sidelined for a long time due to a cruciate ligament injury. Kylian Mbappe has returned to training after a hamstring injury, but the French striker's ability to play is still open.
On Real Oviedo's side, Javi Lopez and Kwasi Sibo will be absent due to suspensions after being sent off in the draw with Getafe.
Leander Dendoncker is having muscle problems and is not sure to be able to play, while Jaime Vazquez must be sidelined due to a groin injury.
Expected lineup:
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, F. Garcia, Diaz, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham, G. Garcia, Vinicius.
Real Oviedo: Escandell, Alhassane, Calvo, Costas, Vidal, Fernandez, Reina, Cazorla, Hassan, Vinas, Chaira.
The match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo takes place at 2:30 am on May 15 (Vietnam time).
