Barça with a new trident against Athletic: Messi, Dembele, Coutinho
Suarez is suspended to a Valverde will play a new front three
Ernesto Valverde is obliged to make changes against Athletic Club due to the absences of Luis Suarez (suspended) and Sergio Busquets (injured).
However, the players he can bring in or move about aren't bad: Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele can partner Lionel Messi in attack and Ivan Rakitic will drop back for Busquets.
NEW Trident
Yerry Mina and Carles Aleña are in the squad but the expectation is that Coutinho and Dembele will join Messi in a new attacking trident.
It's clear that Messi will play, perhaps as a false nine. He has scored 23 goals in 32 games against Athletic, making them his fifth favourite rival.
In the absence of Suarez, he will have more freedom to move through the middle, with Dembele on the right and Coutinho, who was cup-tied for the Chelsea win, on the left.
The other option is Paco Alcacer. However, the former Valencia striker has not played since February and has not scored since December.
Further back, Rakitic is expected to drop back into Busquets' role, with two from Andres Iniesta, Andre Gomes and Paulinho sitting in front of him -- a lot will depend on Iniesta's fitness.
Behind Dembele on the right will be Sergi Roberto, with Jordi Alba the other full-back. Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti should continue in the middle, with Thomas Vermaelen injured.
ATHLETIC CLUB
Athletic arrive at Camp Nou having been knocked out of the Europa League by Marseille in the week and 12th in La Liga.
Coach Ziganda is also missing the injured Mikel Rico, Yeray Álvarez, Iker Muniaín and Balenziaga, although he can bring back Raúl García, Mikel San José and Iñigo Martínez who all missed the midweek game for various reasons.
