Real Madrid Go Without Vinicius Junior for Third Straight Match as Racing Santander Chase Home Shock

Real Madrid will be without Vinicius Junior for a third consecutive match through suspension when they visit Racing Santander at El Sardinero on Sunday evening. The Brazilian returns for the Champions League meeting with AEK Athens next Wednesday, but for now Madrid must find a way through a LaLiga fixture without their primary left-sided attacker.

Both sides have confirmed 4-2-3-1 shapes, setting up a contest between Madrid's need to break down a home side that has not lost at El Sardinero in LaLiga this season and Racing's ambition to land the result of their campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti's 4-2-3-1 keeps Aurélien Tchouaméni at the base of midfield, with Arda Güler operating in the attacking line behind the striker. Dean Huijsen continues in central defence. The absence of Vinicius removes the left-sided one-on-one threat that normally pins opposing right-backs, and Madrid's attacking width must come from elsewhere.

Bernardo Silva is listed among the key players for this fixture, and his role in the attacking third becomes more central without Vinicius available. Madrid arrive on a run of five straight wins in all competitions and sit third in LaLiga, three points behind leaders Barcelona. A sixth consecutive victory would keep the pressure on at the top.

Racing Santander's 4-2-3-1 is built to contest the middle of the pitch and spring forward. Aarón Martín is the home side's listed key player, and his positioning on the left will matter both defensively against Madrid's right-sided attacks and going the other way when Racing commit numbers forward.

Racing are 13th in the table and ended a four-game winless run in LaLiga with a victory in their most recent outing. They remain unbeaten at home in the league this season, a record that gives Sunday's fixture genuine edge. El Sardinero has not yet seen the home side beaten in LaLiga, and Madrid's visit is the sternest test of that run so far.

The matchweek 11 fixture kicks off at 01.11.2026 at Estadio El Sardinero in Santander. For Madrid, the equation is simple: win without Vinicius and stay within touching distance of Barcelona. For Racing, any points against the recent El Clásico winners would rank among the season's standout results.

Madrid's 4-2-3-1 without Vinicius puts the creative burden on Güler and Silva. Tchouaméni's screening role in front of Huijsen and the rest of the back four becomes more important if Racing look to counter quickly through Aarón Martín's side. The home team's shape mirrors Madrid's, which sets up direct duels across the pitch rather than a structural mismatch.

Racing's unbeaten home record and Madrid's five-match winning run collide at El Sardinero. Vinicius's suspension is the single biggest selection fact of the night, and how Madrid replace his output on the left will shape whether the leaders' pace is maintained or Racing's home run survives.