Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has lost his battle to be fit for tonight’s El Clasico clash with Barcelona.
Mbappe’s name was absent from the Madrid squad released this morning, meaning he has not overcome the hamstring problem he sustained against Real Betis on April 24.
The news will only increase the noise around the France striker’s decision to go on holiday last weekend rather than stay in the Spanish capital and work on his recovery.
Madrid head into the game after a week of negative headlines and knowing their arch rivals require just a point tonight to clinch the title.
A petition calling on the club to sell Mbappe has reached nearly 70 million signatures, but of more concern to the club hierarchy will be the significant discord that is apparent in the changing room.
After Alvaro Carreras revealed he had a confrontation with Antonio Rudiger, tensions between club captain Federico Valverde and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni erupted on Thursday as the two came to blows.
Valverde suffered a head injury and was left needing stitches, his injuries ruling him out of the Clasico. Both players received €500,000 fines.
Neither player was suspended for their part in the incident, meaning Tchouameni will be available to face a Barca side without star Lamine Yamal because of a hamstring injury he suffered against Celta Vigo last month.
The good news for Madrid is the return of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from injury and the Belgian will start at Camp Nou.
Barcelona v Real Madrid predicted line-ups
Barcelona: J. Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; E. Garcia, Pedri; Rashford, Gavi, Fermin; Lewandowski
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Pitarch; Bellingham; Vinicius, Garcia
Where to watch Barca v Real Madrid: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Sunday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming available on a vast range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 a year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ cancellation notice required.
