Courtois out with flu and Vinicius suspended: Lunin starts in goal for Real in El Clasico, Yamal-Raphinha-Gordon lead Barca attack

Barcelona host Real Madrid in La Liga tonight. The season's first El Clasico kicks off at Barca's Camp Nou at 2 a.m. Bangladesh time.

For Barcelona supporters there was good news before the match: Real Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, regarded as one of the best in the world and known for performing in big matches.

The Madrid club confirmed Courtois's absence in a statement on Sunday morning local time. It said Courtois had been ruled out at the last moment from today's La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona because of flu, and Ilia Voloshyn had been called into the squad in his place.

Vinicius Junior's absence through suspension had already been confirmed. With Courtois also ruled out, Real Madrid suffered a major blow before El Clasico.

Real coach Jose Mourinho named Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in his starting eleven, with an attacking line-up of Arda Guler on the right, Kylian Mbappe in the centre and Diamande on the left. In midfield, Bernardo Silva and Aurelien Tchouameni sit behind Jude Bellingham.

Barcelona's attack features Anthony Gordon alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. In midfield, Fermin Lopez plays in front of Pedri and Rodri.

Barcelona top the La Liga table with 27 points from nine matches. Real Madrid are third with 21 points from the same number of matches.