For the eighth time, the Copa del Rey is set to host a Cl?sico in the final as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona meet at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Spain. The match takes place on Saturday night with the trophy at stake.

The game will kick off at 10pm local time (4pm ET) in a huge fixture which could prove decisive in the future of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, and could allow his counterpart Hansi Flick to add a second trophy to his cabinet since joining Barcelona in the summer of 2024.

From seven previous Cl?sico finals, Real Madrid has won four (1936, 1974, 2011 and 2014) compared to three for Bar?a (1968, 1983 and 1990). This will be the first meeting at this stage of the competition in 11 years, since Gareth Bale scored an iconic goal to win it for Real Madrid at Mestalla in Valencia.

With all eyes on Ancelotti, under immense pressure following elimination in the UEFA Champions League, the tactics and team selection of both sides is likely to prove pivotal.

For Real Madrid, there are four major injury doubts threatening Carlo Ancelotti?s plans. Those affect the back and front lines, as Ferland Mendy and Kylian Mbapp? target returns to action despite not being involved in the games leading up to the final. The midweek win over Getafe was also marred by injuries to David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga, though both need to undergo further tests before confirming their absences.

In the case of Mendy, he has not played since mid-March with a hamstring injury. The left-back returned to training with the squad early this week, and he could make the squad provided training continues to go well this week.

Mbapp? was injured with a knock to the ankle in the UEFA Champions League elimination to Arsenal, and has not featured since. However, he has trained fully with the squad and was left out against Getafe more as a precaution than through necessity.

Barcelona will also have injury worries of their own, though there are no new surprises this week. The major update is that of Robert Lewandowski, who pulled up injured against Celta Vigo last weekend and now faces up to three weeks out, leaving him with next to no chance of featuring in this fixture.

Alejandro Bald? also remains sidelined at left-back, which will leave Hansi Flick with a real weakness to his line-up on the left of his defensive unit.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Fede Valverde, Antonio R?diger, Ra?l Asencio, Fran Garc?a; Dani Ceballos, Aur?lien Tchouameni; Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham, Vin?cius J?nior; Kylian Mbapp?.

FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Wojciech Szcz?sny; Jules Kound?, I?igo Mart?nez, Pau Cubars?, Alejandro Bald?; Pedri, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.

Real Madrid?s line-up is pretty clear with two doubts, one coming in goal where Carlo Ancelotti is expected to field Thibaut Courtois despite Andriy Lunin having played in every round up until the final. Just like in last season?s Champions League final, the coach is thought to prefer going with his first-choice goalkeeper for such a crucial fixture.

The other question mark is at left-back, where Fran Garc?a could start ahead of the not fully fit Ferland Mendy. His versatility is set to see him start with Eduardo Camavinga out, meaning Dani Ceballos can come into midfield.

For Barcelona, the only position up for grabs is the attacking midfield role where Gavi, Dani Olmo and Fermin L?pez are all vying for a starting position. The most likely choice is Gavi, who has reestablished himself in the team in recent months, despite a strong performance and a goal for Olmo in midweek against Real Mallorca. (Forbes)

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