How Real Madrid could line up against Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid will be looking to move to within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid when they travel to their bitter rivals on Sunday afternoon.

Zinedine Zidane's side, who are currently third in the table, will again be without the services of Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos through injury, while Mariano Diaz has also been ruled out of the contest with a muscular problem.

Karim Benzema is also a doubt as he battles to overcome an ankle injury, but the Frenchman trained on Friday and is being tipped to feature in the starting XI for the Madrid derby.

Zidane is likely to consider a change of formation this weekend, with fit-again Federico Valverde potentially joining Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric as part of a midfield four.

Vinicius Junior came off the bench to score in the 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad last time out, meanwhile, and the Brazilian could now be handed a spot in the starting XI.

Rodrygo Goes is also an option, having recently recovered from injury, while Isco and Marco Asensio are also in contention for spots in the final third of the field.

Eder Militao has been passed fit following an adductor issue, but Nacho is expected to retain his spot alongside Raphael Varane in the middle of the defence, with club captain Ramos still unavailable.

Carvajal's absence means that Lucas Vazquez will again feature at right-back, while Ferland Mendy will start at left-back despite the fact that Marcelo has also recovered from a recent injury.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Vazquez, Nacho, Varane, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Valverde; Benzema, Vinicius

> Click here to see how Atletico could line up for this contest