Neither side wished to see their season come down to the final Clasico of the 2024/25 campaign, but that is the reality as Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in Catalonia on Sunday.
With both set to watch the UEFA Champions League final from their couches, the only thing left to play for at this stage is the La Liga crown. Barcelona hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid with four matches to go, meaning a win here effectively secures the domestic championship.
Meanwhile, a Real Madrid victory would leave Los Blancos with still some work to do, but would trim the gap to just a single point, setting up a dramatic run-in to cap off the campaign.
To add even more drama to the narrative, there are significant rumors in the Spanish media that this match could be a farewell event for Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid head coach, regardless of the result. It is reported that Ancelotti's departure could be announced following the game, although he is expected to remain in charge for the final three fixtures of the season.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid lineups: El Clasico starting 11
Jules Kounde remains 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, so the Spain international keeps his spot in an unchanged team.
Alex Balde has not been passed fit to start, so Gerard Martin continues to fill in at left-back, with the former on the bench.
Robert Lewandowski is in the same boat as Balde ,following a recent hamstring injury, and he starts on the bench as Ferran Torres leads the Barca attack.
Barcelona lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Garcia, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Balde — De Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Torres.
Injured: Kounde (foot), D. Rodriguez (shoulder), Bernal (ACL), Casado (knee)
Suspended: None
MORE: Latest La Liga top goal scorer list
Injuries have played a significant role in Real Madrid's season proving disappointing, and they remain a problem for this critical game.
They face another crisis at the back, as Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are out for the season with knee injuries. Along with Eder Militao's absence due to an ACL injury, that leaves only young Raul Asencio as the natural centre-back fit available and he is partnered by Aurelien Tchouameni in a unchanged team from last weekend's 3-2 win over Celta Vigo.
Tchouameni's switch to defence leaves a hole in midfield that would normally be filled by Eduardo Camavinga, but he too is out injured, meaning Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde are paired up alongside Jude Bellingham.
Rodrygo is on the bench, after missing out against Celta due to illness, so Arda Guler - who scored in his absence - keeps his spot.
Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Garcia — Ceballos, Bellingham, Valverde — Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Injured: Rudiger (knee), Alaba (knee), Militao (ACL), Carvajal (ACL), Camavinga (groin), Mendy (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Fubo USA, ESPN+ |
| Canada | TSN3 | TSN+ |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV |
| Australia | beIN Sports 2 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | — |