Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has picked a strong starting XI for Thursday night's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana have no fresh injury and suspension worries and boast a sizeable lead at the top of La Liga, which enables them to make use of their big guns in the cup.

Jasper Cillessen has been utilised in cup competitions and is thus named in goal, but the outfield players are largely the first-choice options, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading the line.

New signing Philippe Coutinho and in-form Paulinho are named on the bench, while Aleix Vidal makes a surprise return to the side.

Barca have now reached the semi-final stages of this tournament for a record eighth time in a row and are bidding to claim their 30th Copa crown.

Valencia, meanwhile, have several injury issues as Jeisson Murillo, Ezekiel Garay and Goncalo Guedes are all sidelined.

However, Carlos Soler comes back into the side on the back of an injury while Gabriel Paulista returns from suspension.

Barcelona: Cillessen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Vidal, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez
Subs: Ter Stegen, Suarez, Coutinho, Paulinho, Alcacer, Digne, Mina

Valencia: Jaume; Montoya, Vezo, Gabriel, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Coquelin, Pereira; Vietto, Rodrigo
Subs: Maksimovic, Zaza, Neto, Latorre, Torres, Mina, Vidal

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