Luis Enrique rings the changes for the Barcelona XI to play Sporting Gijon but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all start.
Lucho’s selection to return to former stomping ground El Molinon sees Claudio Bravo continue in goal but Aleix Vidal, Jeremy Mathieu and Adriano come into defence, Gerard Pique the only one of the back four against Celta Vigo to keep his place.
Sergio Busquets, Arda Turan and Ivan Rakitic are in midfield, Arda and Rakitic replacing Sergi Roberto and Andres Iniesta, but the front three remains untouched.
Enrique’s long-time friend Abelardo includes Alen Halilovic from the start, the youngster on loan at Sporting from Barca.
Halilovic’s introduction is one of nine changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Rayo Vallecano on Friday, goalkeeper Ivan Cuella and defender Jordi Mere the only ones to keep their places.
The game is the rearranged week 16 fixture, moved due to Barcelona’s Club World Cup commitments.
Sporting: Cuellar; Lora, Lichnovsky, Mere, Canella; Mascarell, Nacho Cases, Menendez, Halilovic, Perez; Castro
Subs: Garcia, Barrera, Guerrero, Lopez, Vranjes, Jony, Rachid
Barcelona: Bravo; Vidal, Pique, Mathieu, Adriano; Busquets, Arda, Rakitic; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Subs: Ter Stegen, Alves, Iniesta, Mascherano, Bartra, Munir, Vermaelen
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
