Real Madrid XI vs Barcelona: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for El Clasico | OneFootball

Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo have been ruled out and Carlo Ancelotti faces a big call in midfield

Carlo Ancelotti faces a big call over who to play in midfield when Real Madrid face Barcelona in El Clasico tonight.

Ancelotti is not expected to tinker too much with the side that came from two goals down to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

But, with Rodrygo out injured, Real will be forced into changes at the Bernabeu.

Jude Bellingham will sit behind a front two of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, with Ancelotti facing a decision over whether to go with Luka Modric or Eduardo Camavinga in a midfield three alongside Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe will hope to combine to sink Barcelona in El Clasico this weekend

AFP via Getty Images

Thibaut Courtois suffered a recurrence of an adductor injury against Dortmund, so Andriy Lunin will start in goal.

Lucas Vazquez will continue at right-back, with Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger at centre-back and Ferland Mendy at left-back.

Tchouameni will sit at the base of midfield ahead of Valverde and Modric or Camavinga.

Mbappe will make his first appearance in El Clasico, while Vinicius Jr will be out to down Barcelona after his stunning hat-trick against Dortmund.

The Brazilian is expected to be named Ballon d'Or winner on Monday.

David Alaba and Dani Carvajal have already been ruled out, with Brahim Diaz a doubt, but midfielder Tchouameni is back after making his return from injury against Dortmund.

Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde; Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Doubt: Diaz

Injured: Courtois, Rodrygo, Alaba, Carvajal

Time and date: 8pm BST on Saturday October 26, 2024

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu

TV channel and live stream: Premier Sports 1 UK and Premier Sports GB Player