Line-ups: Barca-Alaves

Barcelona are almost full-strength for their Liga opener against Alaves this evening as Lionel Messi begins his pursuit of a record-breaking 10th title.

Ernesto Valverde sticks with the 4-3-3 that Barca used to beat Sevilla 2-1 in the Supercopa, so Messi stays out on the right wing, with match-winner Ousmane Dembele opposite him.

Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto also come in at the expense of Clement Lenglet, Rafinha and Arthur – all of whom are substitutes – although Sergi Roberto is preferred to Philippe Coutinho.

Alaves, meanwhile, are without defensive lynchpin Rodrigo Ely, who is injured, but they nonetheless remain the last team to win at Camp Nou in La Liga.

Ibai Gomez, who was the Basques’ hero that evening back in September 2016, starts again on the left wing tonight.

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Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Sergi Roberto; Messi, Suarez, Dembele

Subs: Coutinho, Arthur, Rafinha, Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Arturo Vidal

Alaves: Pacheco; Ruben Duarte, Maripan, Laguardia, Martin; Dani Torres; Jony, Wakaso, Manu, Ibai; Sobrino

Subs: Sivera, Burgui, Ximo, Marin, Borja Baston, Twumasi, Perera

Referee: Sanchez Martinez

La Liga - Club News