Rival Watch: Real Madrid trio ruled out of Barcelona match ahead of El Clasico | OneFootball

After securing their third win over Real Madrid this past week, Barcelona have only one more obstacle to cross in their bid to win the league title.

Indeed, the Catalans are slated to face Real Madrid once again on May 11, a game where they could possibly establish themselves as the clear favourites to win the league title, if they can all three points.

Heading into this game, Barcelona have already been handed a major boost, as Real Madrid have to contend with the absence of no less than three players.

Three key absentees for Real Madrid vs Barça

The three players in question are David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger – three stars who are out either due to injuries or suspension.

In the case of Alaba, the Austrian veteran appears to have picked up yet another knock and may require another surgery, effectively ruling him out for the entirety of the campaign.

Injury woes continue for David Alaba (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Real Madrid have also confirmed a new injury for Ferland Mendy, who had just come back from an injury layoff.

The Frenchman was suffering from a knee injury, which had kept him out for a month. But now the defender has picked up a new thigh injury, with no specific return date. Reports suggest he could be out for at least two and a half months.

Finally, the third Real Madrid player set to miss the upcoming Barcelona tie is Antonio Rudiger, whose actions after the final whistle in the Copa Del Rey final became a subject of much discussion within Spanish football this past week.

The German international has been handed a hefty six-game suspension, effectively ruling him out for the entirety of the La Liga season.

The absence of these three stars could be catastrophic for Real Madrid as they look to secure their first win against Barcelona in the final Clasico of the campaign.