Real Madrid will be missing Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema for Sunday's El Clasico with Barcelona.

Mendy will be absent for the La Liga contest due to a muscular problem, while a calf issue has ruled the team's leading goalscorer Benzema out of the match.

There is a return to the squad for Luka Jovic, though, and the Serbia international is one of the options to take Benzema's spot in the starting XI against the Catalan giants.

Mendy's absence is expected to see Nacho feature at left-back, with David Alaba operating in the middle of the defence alongside Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal featuring at right-back.

There are unlikely to be any surprises in midfield, with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro expected to be in the XI, while Vinicius Junior is a certain starter in attack.

Isco, Gareth Bale, Jovic, Mariano Diaz and Rodrygo are among the options to start at centre-forward, but Marco Asensio will be hoping to keep his spot on the right. body check tags ::