The odds will be stacked against Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona side when they welcome Real Madrid to Camp Nou for the first El Clasico of the season on Sunday evening.

The Catalan giants are without a number of key players for the high-profile clash but simply can’t lose this match for fear of Koeman losing his job and the club once again descending into anarchy.

Similarly, Madrid are also without some big players and will be hoping to put a troubled start to the new season behind them with all three points against their historical rivals.

For Koeman, there are notable holes across the team that will need to be filled if Barca have any hope of winning this match.

In defence, the Catalan giants will be without Ronald Araujo in the centre of defence and Jordi Alba at left-back. As such, Eric Garcia will likely be tasked with filling in at centre back and Alejandro Balde will step in on the left.

Barca will also likely be without Pedri in midfield for this clash, so Koeman is likely to stick with Gavi, Sergio Busquets and Luuk de Jong in the centre of the park. Up front the team are still without Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite, so Sergino Dest may be tasked with playing on the right wing for the game.

Madrid also have some injury problems of their own but they should be able to put out a starting XI without too many compromises.

Daniel Carvajal remains out with an injury, but will likely be replaced by Nacho at right-back. Similarly, injuries to Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Isco should be accommodated by better and in-form players at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal.

How Barca and Real Madrid could line up