Real Madrid are aiming to extend their winning run in El Clasico to five matches when they host rivals Barcelona on Saturday evening.

The defending La Liga champions have not entirely convinced at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and already find themselves playing catch-up to Hansi Flick’s impressive Barca side. However, a win on Saturday would draw them level on points with the Catalan giants and claim bragging rights for Madridistas across the world.

Carlo Ancelotti’s preparations have not been aided by injury blows for Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo. Both sustained issues in the midweek win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and will miss Saturday’s encounter, potentially forcing a formation change for the Italian.

Here is how Madrid could line up for Barca’s visit.

GK: Andriy Lunin – Courtois’ absence means Lunin will stand in for another Clasico. The Ukrainian can certainly be trusted these days after playing almost the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign for Madrid.

RB: Lucas Vazquez – The long-term injury to Dani Carvajal has placed even more importance on the experienced Vazquez, who should start at right-back again at the weekend. He scored a cracking goal midweek but could prove a liability for Madrid defensively up against the in-form Raphinha.

CB: Eder Militao – After struggling against Dortmund in a repeat of last season’s Champions League final, things won’t get easier for Militao up against one of BVB’s former strikers in Robert Lewandowski. The Pole, who has scored 12 times in La Liga this term, will be aiming to isolate the Brazilian centre-half.

CB: Antonio Rudiger – The German, who scored a crucial goal against Dortmund, will have to assist Militao on Saturday, with Lewandowski likely to steer clear of battles with Rudiger. He’s always a reliable presence at the back for Madrid.

LB: Ferland Mendy – Mendy was the worst player on the pitch against Dortmund, which doesn’t bode well for a meeting with the turbo-charged Lamine Yamal. Barca’s winger has averaged a goal or assist per match in La Liga this term.

DM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Tchouameni will anchor Madrid’s midfield on Saturday, with Ancelotti potentially reverting to the 4-3-1-2 formation utilised last season. With busy bees around him, the former Monaco man should be well protected.

CM: Federico Valverde – The ever-reliable Valverde has been exceptional this season and is the perfect box-to-box midfielder for Ancelotti. He will be tasked with providing some attacking thrust on Saturday.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga – Luke Modric is still world class but the Croatian played a little over 70 minutes against Dortmund. The 39-year-old may be replaced by the energetic Camavinga.

AM: Jude Bellingham – Having scored late winners in both Clasico clashes in La Liga last season, Bellingham could do with another vital contribution this weekend. The Englishman’s luck is out at the moment and he is yet to score for Madrid this term.

ST: Kylian Mbappe – Mbappe may not have wowed audiences in the same way that Vinicius Junior has this season but he still has eight goals in 13 Madrid appearances. The Frenchman will be keen to test a centre-back pairing that contains 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi and 33-year-old Inigo Martinez.

ST: Vinicius Junior – Unsurprisingly, it was Ballon d’Or favourite Vinicius who sparkled midweek when Madrid needed a hero. Their comeback victory was forged by the fleet-footed Brazilian, who finished up with a sensational hat-trick against Dortmund.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP