Sunday's Clasico likely to decide La Liga title race

MADRID, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Sunday's Clasico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will either determine the La Liga title race decisively or ensure that Spain's two biggest clubs continue to battle for the championship until the season's end.

Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in Montjuic with a four-point lead. A win would extend that gap to seven points, leaving only three games and nine points left to play for. However, a win for Madrid would bring them within reach of the top spot and offer the possibility of salvaging what has been a frustrating season for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

The three previous Clasicos this season have all favored Barcelona, with a 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, followed by a 5-2 thrashing in the Spanish Supercup, and a tense 3-2 win in the Copa del Rey final just weeks ago on April 26.

While the Cup final suggests that Madrid is narrowing the gap in performance, it came at a cost. Antonio Rudiger's six-match ban and season-ending injury, along with Ferland Mendy's torn muscle, left significant gaps in defense.

Ancelotti is likely to field Aurelien Tchouameni in central defense alongside Raul Asencio, with Fran Garcia at left back, and a decision pending between Lucas Vazquez or Fede Valverde on the right.

This will be Ancelotti's last match against Barcelona, as he is set to become the new coach of Brazil's national team, with Xabi Alonso lined up to replace him after confirming his departure from German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

While injuries have complicated Real Madrid's options, Barcelona contends with fatigue following a heartbreaking Champions League defeat to Inter Milan on Tuesday after a thrilling 120 minutes ended in a 4-3 loss.

The extra time adds to the strain on Barcelona's squad, which has played two more intense matches than Madrid. However, Hansi Flick has welcomed Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde back from injury. Jules Kounde, who has been effective against Vinicius Jr. in recent meetings, remains unavailable, with Inigo Martinez also a doubt due to a muscle strain.

Barcelona has taken risks by defending high lines against Real Madrid in previous meetings, and changes to its defense may create vulnerabilities for Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe to exploit in what promises to be a tense match with plenty of goals. ■