returns to the just four days after its emphatic 3-1 victory over . 

will have to manage without , who will serve the first of a two-match suspension following his red card in Pamplona. According to referee ’s report, used disrespectful language, claiming to have heard "fuck you," while the midfielder and the club insist he actually said "fuck off."

In his absence, is expected to take his place, providing both attacking creativity and the defensive work rate that demands in that position. has hinted at fresh legs in the lineup, suggesting that could start on the bench for the first time in this season.

With returning to the right-back position and long-term absentees and still recovering, has options to rotate his squad. is set to return to the starting lineup, and could start ahead of . Meanwhile, the attacking trio of —who has scored six goals in his last four matches—and will lead the charge.

In defense, might again be deployed as a center-back instead of , who rushed back from a muscle injury to face . , having dropped seven of its last nine league points, has seen overtake it at the top of the table, although both teams sit level at 51 points, with the Catalans ahead due to their head-to-head record (0-4 in the first half of the season).

arrives at the in poor form, having lost four of its last five matches. In its previous game, ’s team suffered a 2-1 defeat to , largely due to costly defensive mistakes.

The main issues for this season have been its defensive fragility and lack of creativity in the final third. Despite being one of the league leaders in possession and entries into the attacking zone, the team has struggled to create clear-cut chances while also conceding too many turnovers that lead to dangerous counterattacks.

To address these problems, the club signed on loan from for the rest of the season. The former midfielder made his debut against and could start for the first time against . , currently sitting in 11th place, is only four points away from a European spot, making this match a crucial opportunity to turn its season around.

has acknowledged the team’s struggles and even admitted that he has doubts about the current tactical approach. To make matters worse, will be without , a key player in midfield, due to suspension. However, and are back from injury and could play a role, with potentially replacing in the starting lineup.

; , , , ; , , , , , .

; , , , ; or Romeu, Iván Martín; Bryan, Tsygankov, Miguel; Abel Ruiz.

Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Balearic Committee).
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.

Key Factor: Kylian Mbappé's current form against Girona's defensive struggles.

Stat: Real Madrid has earned only two of the last nine possible points in LaLiga EA Sports, while Girona has collected just three of the last 15.

Injury/Suspension Report:

• Girona: Donny van de Beek.