Carlo Ancelotti plans to field an unchanged Real Madrid lineup against Barcelona | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face a must-win situation on Sunday as they take on Barcelona for the fourth time this season.

The reigning Spanish champions have lost to Barça thrice this season, but if they can secure three points this weekend, the club would have an outside chance of hi-jacking the title in the last few matches of the season.

Knowing the importance of this clash, coach Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to take any risks, as far as his team selection is concerned.

Real Madrid to remain unchanged?

According to Miguel Angel Diaz, Real Madrid are unlikely to make any changes at all, as they approach Barcelona this weekend.

In fact, it appears coach Ancelotti will field the same eleven which started against Celta Vigo in their last game.

This means Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni will continue to lead the Real Madrid defence, in the absence of Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eder Militao.

Can Ancelotti mastermind a Real Madrid win despite a depleted backline? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Lucas Vazquez will continue at right-back, whereas Ancelotti has no option but to field Fran Garcia at left-back, now that Ferland Mendy has picked up another injury.

If Ancelotti does retain the same lineup, it means Arda Guler may start in midfield, with Real Madrid operating in a 4-3-1-2 formation which could see Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe spearheading the attack.

Guler, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde are expected to provide the creativity in the final third, whereas Dani Ceballos will play a huge role in defensive midfield.

The Spaniard will be tasked with the responsibility of neutralising the Barcelona midfield, comprising talents such as Pedri and Dani Olmo.

Real Madrid, though, will have some amount of firepower on the bench as well, including Rodrygo and Luka Modric.