Real Madrid faced Juventus on Wednesday in the Champions League.
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La Liga leaders Real Madrid will welcome FC Barcelona to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu ahead of El Clásico in La Liga on Sunday, October 26th, at 4:15pm CEST (1:15am ET).
Coach Xabi Alonso will be taking part in his first Clásico against Hansi Flick’s side, with only two points separating them at the top of the table with nine games played.
Real Madrid has not lost at home in La Liga since April, and the team has only lost once since the 4-3 Clásico defeat in May, that being a 5-2 humiliation against Atlético Madrid at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano in September.
Los Blancos were in Champions League action on Wednesday, overcoming Italian giants Juventus with a 1-0 win at the Bernabéu, courtesy of a goal from Jude Bellingham, his first of the 2025/26 season.
There are a number of injury doubts impacting Real Madrid ahead of this weekend’s fixture, particularly in the defensive area. One man who is certain to miss out is German defender Antonio Rüdiger, who has been sidelined for several weeks with a muscle injury which could rule him out until December.
There are then doubts over three central defensive options Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Raúl Asencio. Huijsen was injured in the international break but appears to be the closest to making a return to action and could step in as a result. Alaba was forced off against Getafe last weekend and Asencio limped off against Juventus in midweek, but neither has been ruled out of this weekend’s Clásico.
Also a doubt is midfielder Dani Ceballos, who has also joined the group for training for most of this week. He is unlikely to come into contention to start, but could add depth if deemed fit.
On a more positive note, left-back Ferland Mendy made the squad for the first time this season against Juventus and will again be available. He could also be joined by both right-back options as both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal have returned to training this week and not run into any setbacks as they prepare a comeback. Even so, midfielder Fede Valverde is likely to continue in the position until they have minutes under their belt.
Real Madrid’s expected lineup vs. FC Barcelona: Thibaut Courtois; Fede Valverde, Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, Álvaro Carreras; Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouameni; Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Kylian Mbappé.
Coach Xabi Alonso appears to have a clear selection in mind as he prepares for his first Clásico as Real Madrid coach, taking on Hansi Flick’s side in La Liga.
What could remain a surprise is exactly how these 11 men will line up. Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler have paired up as a midfield duo against Juventus, while one could also move into a wider position to balance with Vinícius Júnior on the left flank.
In the middle, Camavinga and Tchouameni are likely to form a double pivot, with the offensive players then spread out ahead of them.
On the bench, attacking wingers Franco Mastantuono, Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Díaz are the most likely options to be called upon given their presence in recent weeks.