Paco Alcacer has been handed a rare La Liga start in the absence of Luis Suarez for Barcelona's home match against Athletic Bilbao this afternoon.

The 24-year-old fills the void left by the suspended Suarez, who picked up his sixth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 win over Malaga last weekend.

Alcacer is used from the off for just the seventh time in the league this term, and for the first time in more than a month, as he joins Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele in the forward line.

There is also a place in the matchday squad for Carles Alena after being promoted from the B side for this contest, joining the likes of Andres Iniesta and Andre Gomes on the bench.

Elsewhere, Philippe Coutinho returns to the starting lineup having been cup-tied for the midweek win over Chelsea in the Champions League, taking a place in midfield alongside Ivan Rakitic and Paulinho.

In terms of the visitors, who trail Barcelona by 37 points, they are without forward Iker Muniain, midfielder Mikel Rico and defender Yeray Alvarez due to injury.

Sabin Merino will lead the attack for Athletic in Catalonia, seeking a first goal in his 13th outing of the campaign - nine of those being from the bench.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Paulinho, Coutinho; Dembele, Alcacer, Messi
Subs: Cillessen, Iniesta, Digne, Andre Gomes, Aleix Vidal, Yerry Mina, Alena

Athletic Bilbao: Arrizabalaga; Lekue, Nunez, Martinez, Saborit; Benat, San Jose, De Marcos, Garcia, Susaeta; Merino
Subs: Iago Herrerin, Iturraspe, Williams, Etxeita, Aduriz, Vesga, Cordoba

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Written by
Daniel Lewis