Real Madrid v Barcelona: Probable line-ups for El Clasico

Real Madrid and Barcelona, LaLiga Santander’s leaders, face off at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday for the season’s first El Clasico.

Xavi Hernandez‘s team, ahead in the standings thanks to goal difference, hopes to leave the capital still ahead in the table, something that Carlo Ancelotti‘s team wants to prevent by getting a victory to move on from last season’s 4-0.

Thibaut Courtois, who is suffering from a sciatica, a pain in the sciatic nerve, is doubtful until the last minute. If, as everything seems to indicate, he cannot play against Barcelona, it will be Andriy Lunin who will be in goal in what would be his first Clasico. Beyond that, there are few doubts for Real Madrid but Karim Benzema should lead the line.

The Blaugrana, down in the doldrums after their draw at home against Inter that left their participation in the Champions League in the balance, will welcome back Jules Kounde to reinforce a backline that has been shaky in recent matches. As for the rest of the XI, it seems clear that Xavi will stick with his regulars.

Probable line-ups for Real Madrid v Barcelona

Real Madrid possible XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Tchouameni, Kroos, Modric; Valverde, Vinicius, Benzema.

Barcelona possible XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Pique, Eric Garcia, Marcos Alonso; Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Raphinha, Dembele, Lewandowski.