Barcelona V Alaves - Preview and possible lineups

Barcelona: Philippe Coutinho could be in line for his first Barca start after coming off the bench in the Copa del Rey victory over Espanyol in midweek. Defender Samuel Umtiti is expected to start in the league for the first time since December in place of Thomas Vermaelen who is set for a couple of weeks out with a hamstring strain. Aside from Vermaelen, Ousmane Dembele is Barca's only other absentee, with Andres Iniesta and Paco Alcacer both available for selection once again.

Alaves: The visitors will be without Real Sociedad loanee Hector Hernandez, whilst Carlos Vigaray will also be missing having not yet returned from a knee injury suffered in November. Burgui is expected to be out long-term after tearing an adductor muscle earlier this month. Rodrigo Ely and Tomas Pina are both suspended for the game, but left-back Ruben Duarte could return after a ban of his own.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde:

"It's a braver Alaves team than before, they press higher up the pitch.

"Alaves have quality up front, with good players out wide. They will try to win the game just like they did last year. These points counts the same as all the rest."

Alaves boss Abelardo Fernandez:

"Every manager wants to have the blueprint to hurt Barca but very few manage to do so.

"The teams is keen to compete after a great game on Wednesday against Valencia."

Did you know?

The last team to stop Barcelona scoring at home was Juventus back in April 2017.

Form:

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Coutinho.

Alaves: Pacheco, Aguirregabiria, Laguardia, Maripan, Duarte, Ibai, Wakaso, Torres, Alfonso, El Haddadi, Guidetti.