Match Preview

Real Madrid play host this weekend to face Huesca for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Huesca finished first in the Segunda División last season to be promoted to La Liga just two seasons removed from their first promotion to the Primera División in club history.

They’re not off to a great start this season as they are currently 18th in the league table and are winless. They’ve only put up 5 points so far, all coming from draws and have sustained two losses.

Real are in the opposite end of the table as they are third in the league, just a point trailing behind Real Sociedad and Cádiz. Real have lost one match this season so far, which was against Cádiz.

They are coming off a 3-1 over Barcelona last weekend in El Clásico while they made a comeback draw 2-2 against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Champions League.

These two clubs have played each other closely the last three La Liga matches in which they’ve faced off. Real have sustained a loss and two draws in that span against Huesca.

A win this time around would put Real at the top of the league provided Sociedad lose or draw this weekend while Cádiz have already won their match.

Injuries/Suspensions

There’s not many changes this weekend to Real’s available squad from Tuesday’s match. Mariano has returned to the squad. Eden Hazard has a chance to make his first start this season after he subbed on against Gladbach. Martin Ødegaard, Nacho, Alvaro Odriozola and Dani Carvajal all remain out with injury.

Huesca will be without goalkeeper Antonio Valera due to injury. They will also be missing forward Shinji Okazaki, fullback Pedro López and midfielder Mikel Rico.

There are no suspensions for either club in Saturday’s match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Hazard, Benzema

With both right backs out as well as Nacho as a fill-in, Lucas Vazquez will likely start in this position again after he did so against Gladbach. Eder Militão is always an option as well.

Luka Modrić did not start Tuesday instead it was Fede Valverde. Modrić will likely slot back into the starting spot against Huesca.

With Hazard back and already being integrated into a match, there’s a good chance he gets his first start of the season on Saturday. This means either Vinicius subs on later or he gets the less likely start on the right side.

Huesca

Fernández; Maffeo, Pulido, Slovas, Galán; Seoane, Mosquera; Ferreiro, García, Ontiveros; Mir

Prediction

Real Madrid-Huesca 2-1

This is a winnable match for Real, but they have had some disappointing performances such as the Shakhtar match. It’s a chance for Real to get even closer to if not the top of the league, but Huesca can force a result.

Huesca have already forced five draws this season, including some against tougher opponents such as Atlético and Villarreal. Their two losses were to Cádiz and Sociedad, who are the two clubs ahead of Real in the standings.

Both clubs haven’t been great offensively. Real have yet to break double digits in goals while Huesca have only scored five on the season. The defense and goalkeeping has been there for Los Blancos as they’ve only allowed four goals so far.

Real should get the win at home on Saturday, but nothing can really be surprising right now. The recent history between the two clubs has shown how close they play each other and how well Huesca can force results or even an upset.