Two archrivals in the history of this sport, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are set to clash for the last time this season of La Liga in a high-stakes thriller on Sunday.
The Catalans would be disappointed with their last match heartbreaking 3-4 loss to Inter in the second leg of the UEFAUEFA Champions League semi-final. However, Hansi Flick's side isstill hopeful of their La Liga glory. With 79 points in their 34 matches, they are comfortably sitting at the top of the league standings.
On the other side, Real Madrid holds the second spot in the La Liga leaderboard with 75 points in their 34 outings. They are coming into this match on the back of a four-match winning streak, sealing a comfortable 3-2 win over Celta Vigo last time out. Ancelotti's side have face Barcelona three times this season and have lost all three.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this La Liga match in the Australia:
- TV channel: beIN Sports 2
- Live stream: beIN Sports
This game is available for live TV broadcast in the Australia on beIN Sports 2. Streaming options are available on beIN Sports.
What time does Barcelona vs. Real Madrid kick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain and kicks off on Sunday, May 11 at 4:15 p.m. local time.
Here's how that kick-off time translates to the various Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Mon, May 12 | 12:15 a.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Sun, May 11 | 11:45 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Sun, May 11 | 10:15 p.m. |
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid predicted lineups, team news
It's expected that Jules Kounde will remain absent for this La Liga title decider, leaving Barcelona once again with a problem to solve at full-back. Eric Garcia started the midweek Champions League game and scored a goal, but Inter Milan were a real threat on the counter against a player far more accustomed to playing at centre-back.
There's better news for Barcelona on the opposite flank, however. The continued absence of Alex Balde at left-back has been an issue, leaving struggling backup Gerard Martin to hold down the position. Yet according to reports in Spain on Thursday, Balde trained with the team and is likely to reclaim his place in the XI.
Uncertainty also remains about the status of Robert Lewandowski, who missed time recently with a hamstring injury but returned to action against Inter off the bench. The question now is whether the 36-year-old can return to the starting lineup, or if Ferran Torres will continue from the opening whistle.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Garcia, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Balde — De Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Lewandowski.
Injured: Kounde (foot), D. Rodriguez (shoulder), Bernal (ACL), Casado (knee)
Suspended: None
Injuries have played a significant role in Real Madrid's season proving disappointing, and they remain a problem for this critical game.
They are facing another crisis at the back, as both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are out for the season with knee injuries. Along with Eder Militao's absence with an ACL injury, that leaves only young Raul Asencio as the natural centre-back fit for this match. It likely means Aurelien Tchouameni will have to move back to partner the 22-year-old.
Tchouameni's slide also leaves a hole in midfield that would normally be filled by Eduardo Camavinga, but he too is out injured, meaning Luka Modric and Federico Valverde are likely to partner in the middle, while Dani Ceballos can also move back into a deeper role as he did last weekend against Celta Vigo.
The ripple effect continues as the need for Valverde in the middle means he's unavailable to fill in for Dani Carvajal at right-back. That means Lucas Vazquez should stay in the position, while Fran Garcia is required on the left with Ferland Mendy still out. Rodrygo is expected to return after missing last weekend's win due to illness, but Arda Guler scored in his absence and Ancelotti could stick with the young Turkey international.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Garcia — Modric, Bellingham, Valverde — Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Injured: Rudiger (knee), Alaba (knee), Militao (ACL), Carvajal (ACL), Camavinga (groin), Mendy (hamstring)
Suspended: None
La Liga fixture schedule this week
All times AEST
Sunday, May 11
- Leganes vs. Espanyol (10:00 p.m.)
Monday, May 12
- Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (12:15 a.m.)
- Athletic Bilbao vs. Alaves (2:30 a.m.)
- Real Betis vs. Osasuna (5:00 a.m.)
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