Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcus Rashford could be in direct competition as Real Madrid host Barcelona this weekend
The Santiago Bernabeu will play host to the first El Clasico of the season and the two eternal rivals each have injury concerns heading into the big showdown.
Los Blancos are set to be without central defender Antonio Rudiger because of injury, while Xabi Alonso has promised to provide an update on Dean Huijsen when he addresses the media on Saturday.
Huijsen suffered a calf injury during international duty with Spain earlier in the month, missing games against Getafe and Juventus as a result. The good news is he has returned to training, but it remains to be seen if he will start.
If the Spaniard is not rushed back then Aurelien Tchouameni could partner Eder Militao in central defence.
In a boost for Real Madrid, captain Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos and Trent Alexander-Arnold also trained with the group on Friday so should be in contention to face Barcelona.
Alexander-Arnold has been absent since limping off against Marseille in the Champions League fixture last month, but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Jude Bellingham scored Madrid’s winner against Juventus in midweek and will be pushing to start alongside Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr in support of the red-hot Kylian Mbappe who has netted 15 goals across all competitions so far this season.
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Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, A. Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Arda Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe
Injured: Rudiger, Alaba
Doubts: Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold, Carvajal, Ceballos
Jude Bellingham scored the winner the last time Real Madrid beat Barcelona
As for Barcelona, they too will be without some key players. Most notably new first-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia and club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Therefore, Wojciech Szczesny is set to deputise in between the posts once again as he seeks to keep a first clean sheet of the campaign.
Jules Kounde should be available despite being substituted in the 6-1 win over Olympiacos earlier in the week. Though, Hansi Flick - suspended for the game - has a big decision to make in central defence with Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia vying for two spots.
Frenkie De Jong and Pedri are expected to form a midfield double pivot, thus allowing Fermin Lopez to operate as the No 10 fresh off netting a hat-trick in the Champions League.
In attack, Robert Lewandowski is sidelined with a thigh problem sustained on international duty with Poland. Ferran Torres should get the nod to lead the line after being rested against Olympicaos after suffering an injury scare of his own while representing Spain.
Raphinha is losing his fitness battle after missing training on Friday which means Marcus Rashford could make his El Clasico bow as the left-sided attacker - potentially crossing paths with Alexander-Arnold at some point.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Torres
Injured: Lewandowski, Raphinha, Gavi, Garcia, ter Stegen
Time and date: 3.15pm GMT on Sunday, October 26, 2025
How to watch: Premier Sports
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu