Team News: Gerard Pique, Philippe Coutinho named on Barcelona bench

Ernesto Valverde has left out a couple of big names for Barcelona's trip to Las Palmas by naming Gerard Pique and Philippe Coutinho on the bench.

Both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez start at the Estadio de Gran Canaria, however, despite suggestions that they would be rested three days prior to a huge clash with Atletico Madrid.

Suarez's inclusion is particularly surprising, as the Uruguayan striker is one yellow card away from an automatic one-game ban, which would rule him out of that top-of-the-table showdown.

Jordi Alba misses out on selection this evening after incurring an identical ban, replaced in the starting XI by Lucas Digne, while Thomas Vermaelen is tasked with taking over from Pique.

Barca's central midfield comprises Andres Iniesta, Paulinho and Sergio Busquets, meanwhile, as they attempt to extend their record 25-match unbeaten run in La Liga.

In terms of the visitors, Paco Jemez is still without Gabriel Penalba due to a knee injury, and there is also no sign of striker Emmanuel Emineke.

Defender Pedro Bigas is the other absentee from Las Palmas's ranks, with former West Ham United striker Jonathan Calleri given the task of leading the line.

Las Palmas: Chicizola; Aguirregaray, Navarro, Galvez, Castellano; Etebo, Gomez; Halilovic, Tana, Samperio; Calleri Subs: Aquilani, Castellano, Esposito, Garcia, Raul, Michel, Toledo

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; S. Roberto, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Digne; Paulinho, Busquets, Iniesta, Vidal; Suarez, Messi Subs: Cillessen, Pique, Rakitic, Dembele, Coutinho, Alcacer, Gomes

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