TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
It's likely that Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet will be Barcelona's central defensive partnership once again, with Samuel Umtiti still not quite ready to return from a long-term knee injury. After a break in fixtures Lionel Messi should be sufficiently well-rested to start, while Ousmane Dembele looks likely to come into the team ahead of the out-of-form Philippe Coutinho. Carles Alena could come into the team too, with Arturo Vidal struggling for form and Arthur out of the team with a hamstring problem.
Real Valladolid
Borja Fernandez and Enas Unal will probably be left out, having both started last time out against Villarreal, while Duje Cop will miss out due to a muscular problem. Jordi Masip, who played for Barcelona for thirteen years before joining Valladolid in 2017, should start in goal for the visitors. Fernando Calero is available to return from the suspension that ruled him out last weekend.
MANAGERS' THOUGHTS
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde on upcoming fixtures and his recent contract renewal:
"We start a sequence of games in which we play in three competitions. We want to win again in La Liga."
"The renewal was a simple decision for me. The Club and the team are good and everything progressed naturally."
Real Valladolid manager Sergio González Soriano on the difficulty of today's game and Barcelona's starting XI:
"We will continue with the same methodology, planning and desire as in other matches, knowing the situation and its importance. We want to play well in today's game despite its difficulty."
"I hope Ernesto Valverde decides to rotate his team, but we go into the game prepared to face their best players. As a player I would want to face the best, but as a manager I would prefer it if they rested Messi!"
FORM GUIDE
DID YOU KNOW?
Barcelona won the two sides' last league clash 1-0, with Dembele scoring the only goal of the game.
None of Valladolid's squad have ever scored against Barcelona in La Liga.
Valladolid's President is none other than Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Alena; Dembele, L Suarez, Messi.
Real Valladolid: Masip; Moyano, Olivas, J Fernandez, Nacho; Hervias, Alcaraz, B Fernandez, Keko; Plano, Unal.