Real Madrid are set to take on Barcelona without several key players, including Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde. Barcelona are a point away from becoming the La Liga 2025-26 champions at Camp Nou on Sunday, May 10, and are looking at an easy win against the injury-laden rivals.
Kylian Mbappe suffered a hamstring injury against Real Betis last month and has failed to recover on time for El Clasico. He joined the training on Thursday and was expected to play a role in the all-important clash on Sunday.
Federico Valverde is also left out of the squad after suffering a head injury during a physical altercation against teammate Aurelien Tchouameni on Friday. Valverde is expected to be sidelined for two weeks and is unlikely to play again for the Los Blancos this season.
Meanwhile, the star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is included in the team after missing out on the last few games due to injury. He is expected to replace Andriy Lunin in Real Madrid's starting lineup against Barcelona.
Tchouameni is expected to start in the midfield with Eduardo Camavinga and Thiago Pitarch. In Kylian Mbappe's absence, Jude Bellingham is likely to play a no. 10 role behind Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid pedicted XI: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch; Jude Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Brahim Diaz
Kylian Mbappe is leading the scoring charts in La Liga with 24 goals in 28 appearances this season, and his absence is likely to hurt Real Madrid's chances against Barcelona. The Catalan giants are 11 points clear of second-placed Madrid in the points table with four games in hand.
Lamine Yamal to miss Barcleona vs Real Madrid clash
Barcelona will be without their star attacker Lamine Yamal and key defender Andreas Christensen, who are ruled out for the season with injuries. Raphina is fit again and is expected to start the game ahead of Marcus Rashford. Gavi and Pedri could form the midfield, with Eric Garcia in a defensive role behind them.
Barcelona predicted XI: Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Raphina, Gavi, Fermin Lopez; Robert Lewandowski
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