Barcelona host Alavés at the Camp Nou aiming to capture their fourth consecutive win in La Liga to usurp the top of the standings from Real Madrid.
Perhaps even more important for Hansi Flick is to ensure his side shows character and responds after a humbling 3–0 loss to Chelsea in the Champions League last time out. Barcelona were thoroughly dominated at Stamford Bridge and there’s serious questions regarding the Catalans’ ability to be real silverware contenders this season.
A home bout against 14th-placed Alavés may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Eduardo Coudet’s side have just two wins in their last nine league fixtures and their most recent win at the Camp Nou came almost a decade ago.
Raphinha could make his return to the starting XI for the first time since late September and the attacking-trio of the Brazilian, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski could start a match together for the first time this term.
Unfortunately for Flick, Fermín López, who’s been a standout player over the past month, will miss the clash after picking up a fresh muscular injury.
