Real Madrid host Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu, with kick-off scheduled for 16:15 CEST this Sunday. Los Blancos hold a two-point lead at the top of the table, while Barcelona come into the game with a number of injury issues.
The Blaugrana will be without Raphinha after the Brazilian pulled up in training on Thursday, relapsing from his hamstring injury. He will join Gavi, Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo on the lengthy injury list. They will get Ferran Torres back, while Real Madrid are welcoming Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Dani Ceballos and Dani Carvajal back to the squad. Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are the only absences for Xabi Alonso to contend with.
The expected lineups. @mundodeportivo, @sport, @lesportiuCAT, @diarioas pic.twitter.com/vOlQgmRTS4
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 26, 2025
Barcelona to maintain defensive plan
The prediction from MD is that Hansi Flick maintains his backline of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde, despite late injury doubts over the Frenchman. Fermin Lopez will continue in midfield ahead of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, while Torres will be flanked by Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal. Sport also agree that this will be the line-up for Barcelona.
Real Madrid’s midfield debate
For Alonso, the debate likely centres around his midfield selection. Diario AS predict that Fede Valverde will continue at right-back in a defence that welcomes back Dean Huijsen between Eder Militao and Alvaro Carreras. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are guarantees up front, while Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni will be in midfield with Arda Guler.
The question mark is over the final spot next to them, likely on the right. If that is the case, then it would be Franco Mastantuono, whereas Eduardo Camavinga would likely come into a central role or one on the left. AS feel it will be Camavinga in midfield, yet Marca believe it will be a surprise return for Dani Carvajal at right-back that allows Valverde to return to midfield, keeping Mastantuono and Camavinga on the bench.
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