El Clasico returns this weekend with Barcelona hosting Real Madrid at the Spotify Nou Camp, with both sides missing key players. Vinicius Junior is suspended for the visitors after being sent off against Villarreal, while injuries have depleted both squads ahead of the top-of-the-table clash.
Real Madrid's selection challenges
Real Madrid travel to Catalonia needing a result to keep pace with Barcelona, who sit six points clear at the top of La Liga. The hosts, inspired by Raphinha's goalscoring form, have opened up breathing space at the summit, leaving Jose Mourinho's side with no room for error.
Injuries are hampering the campaign, with Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo all sidelined. Vinicius Junior's suspension compounds the issues, forcing a reshuffle. Arda Guler is expected to be deployed in the wide areas, opening a space for Bernardo Silva to fill in at the base of midfield.
Barcelona's absentees and predicted lineups
Yan Diomande will take up the opposite flank with Jude Bellingham in as No10 and Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Fede Valverde has been used as an auxiliary right-back and should be used again here, as he was against Leipzig midweek, with Marc Cucurella returning in the opposite full-back position.
Barcelona also have a number of injuries to contend with. Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are all due to miss this match, with Jules Kounde a doubt due to an ankle injury and not expected to be involved. With those players out, Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart will line up at full-back.
Few surprises are expected elsewhere. Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon will take up the wings, with Raphinha starting at striker as he looks to extend his remarkable goalscoring form.
Barcelona predicted XI: J Garcia; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Martin, Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Gordon; Raphinha. Injured: Olmo, Barghji, Christensen, E. Garcia, Kounde.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Valverde, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouameni, Bernardo Silva; Guler, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappe. Injured: Asencio, Mendy, Rodrygo. Suspended: Vinicius Jr.
Match details
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Sunday October 25 at the Spotify Nou Camp, with coverage on Premier Sports 1.
