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There are crucial points on the line for Los Blancos as they aim to keep in touch with a Raphinha-inspired Barcelona, who are already opening up some breathing space atop the Liga table.
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who → be → table
They are already six points clear of Real, meaning Jose Mourinho’s side have no room for error as they visit the Blaugrana.
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they → mean → Blaugrana
Injuries are already hampering his campaign, though, with Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Rodrygo all injured.
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Mendy → hamper → campaign
He will be further shorthanded on Sunday by the absence of Vinicius Junior, who remains suspended after being sent off against Villarreal.
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who → shorthande → Villarreal
He was also hit with a fresh absence today as Thibaut Courtois was struck down with the flu.
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Courtois → hit → flu
Those absentees will force him to shuffle the deck.
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absentees → force → deck
Arda Guler is expected to be deployed in the wide areas, opening a space for Bernardo Silva to fill in at the base of midfield.
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Silva → expect → midfield
Yan Diomande takes up the opposite flank with Jude Bellingham in as No10 and Kylian Mbappe leading the line.
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Mbappe → take → line
Elsewhere, the versatile Fede Valverde has been used as an auxiliary right-back and should be used again here, as he was against Leipzig midweek.
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he → use → Leipzig
Marc Cucurella will return in the opposite full-back position.
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Cucurella → return → position
Barcelona also have a number of injuries to contend with.
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Barcelona → have → injuries
Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are all due to miss this match, with Jules Kounde a doubt due to an ankle injury.
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Kounde → miss → injury
He is not expected to be involved.
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He → expect → ?
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With the Frenchmen out, it will be Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart lining up at full-back.
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Cancelo → read → back
Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon will take up the wings, with Raphinha starting at striker as he looks to extend his remarkable goalscoring form.
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he → take → form
Barcelona starting XI: Joan García; Xavi Espart, Cubarsí, Gerard Martin, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri, Fermín López; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Gordon
Injured: Olmo, Barghji, Christensen, E. Garcia, Kounde
Real Madrid starting XI: Lunin; Valverde, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Tchouaméni; Arda Güler, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappé
Injured: Courtois, Asencio, Mendy, Rodrygo
Suspended: Vinicius Jr
Time and date: 8pm BST on Sunday, October 25
Venue: Spotify Nou Camp
How to watch: Premier Sports 1
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offers → list → change
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Terms → apply → offers
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