Neither side wished to see their season come down to the final Clasico of the 2024/25 campaign, but that is the reality as Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in Catalonia on Sunday.
With both set to watch the UEFA Champions League final from their couches, the only thing left to play for at this stage is the La Liga crown. Barcelona hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid with four matches to go, meaning a win here effectively secures the domestic championship.
Meanwhile, a Real Madrid victory would leave Los Blancos with still some work to do, but would trim the gap to just a single point, setting up a dramatic run-in to cap off the campaign.
To add even more drama to the narrative, there are significant rumors in the Spanish media that this match could be a farewell event for Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid head coach, regardless of the result. It is reported that Ancelotti’s departure could be announced following the game, although he is expected to remain in charge for the final three fixtures of the season.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid lineups: Predicted Clasico starting 11, team news
It’s expected that Jules Kounde will remain absent for this La Liga title decider, leaving Barcelona once again with a problem to solve at full-back. Eric Garcia started the midweek Champions League game and scored a goal, but Inter Milan were a real threat on the counter against a player far more accustomed to playing at centre-back.
There’s better news for Barcelona on the opposite flank, however. The continued absence of Alex Balde at left-back has been an issue, leaving struggling backup Gerard Martin to hold down the position. Yet according to reports in Spain on Thursday, Balde trained with the team and is likely to reclaim his place in the XI.
Uncertainty also remains about the status of Robert Lewandowski, who missed time recently with a hamstring injury but returned to action against Inter off the bench. The question now is whether the 36-year-old can return to the starting lineup, or if Ferran Torres will continue from the opening whistle.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Garcia, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Balde — De Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Lewandowski
Injured: Kounde (foot), D. Rodriguez (shoulder), Bernal (ACL), Casado (knee)
Suspended: None
MORE: Latest La Liga top goal scorer list
Injuries have played a significant role in Real Madrid’s season proving disappointing, and they remain a problem for this critical game.
They are facing another crisis at the back, as both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are out for the season with knee injuries. Along with Eder Militao‘s absence with an ACL injury, that leaves only young Raul Asencio as the natural centre-back fit for this match. It likely means Aurelien Tchouameni will have to move back to partner the 22-year-old.
Tchouameni’s slide also leaves a hole in midfield that would normally be filled by Eduardo Camavinga, but he too is out injured, meaning Luka Modric and Federico Valverde are likely to partner in the middle, while Dani Ceballos can also move back into a deeper role as he did last weekend against Celta Vigo.
The ripple effect continues as the need for Valverde in the middle means he’s unavailable to fill in for Dani Carvajal at right-back. That means Lucas Vazquez should stay in the position, while Fran Garcia is required on the left with Ferland Mendy still out. Rodrygo is expected to return after missing last weekend’s win due to illness, but Arda Guler scored in his absence and Ancelotti could stick with the young Turkey international.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Garcia — Modric, Bellingham, Valverde — Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Injured: Rudiger (knee), Alaba (knee), Militao (ACL), Carvajal (ACL), Camavinga (groin), Mendy (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
