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Barca and Real played out a tense 0-0 draw at Camp Nou on Wednesday night - the first goalless Clasico in 17 years.
That result leaves Barca ahead of Real on goal difference at the top of the table, and the Blaugrana face Alaves at home today to round off the year.
The Spanish title holders are looking to bow out on a high as they prepare for a big 2020, and Ernesto Valverde will be looking for another three points.
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Team news
Barcelona are without Arthur and Ousmane Dembele for Saturday’s La Liga game at home to Alaves – their final fixture in 2019.
Arthur is still struggling from a niggling problem picked up on international duty last month and has not featured for Barca since the 1-0 win away to Atletico Madrid on December 1.
Dembele, meanwhile, remains sidelined with a thigh problem he sustained in the Champions League clash against his former club Borussia Dortmund in November and the French forward will be out until mid-January.
Sergio Busquets should return after he missed the 0-0 draw against Real Madrid on Wednesday night with fever, with Ivan Rakitic and Frenkie de Jong also set to start in midfield.
Coach Ernesto Valverde must also decide between Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo at right-back, with the former having started in midfield in the Clasico.
Barcelona lead La Liga on goal difference from Real Madrid after 17 games and will head into the break as “winter champions” if they beat Alaves on Saturday.
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1 min: Early danger as Sergi Roberto sets up Lionel Messi in the Alaves area, but the visitors get it clear...
Under way at Camp Nou!
The teams are out on the pitch and the last fixture at Camp Nou in 2019 will be under way shortly....
Aleñá in for third start of the season
After being ignored for weeks and weeks on end by Valverde, Carles Aleñá featured from the outset in the 2-1 win away to Inter Milan in the Champions League last month and the midfielder gets his third start of the season today.
Aleñá is wanted by Getafe on loan in the January transfer window and could leave the Catalan club in a short-term deal. The 21-year-old scored away to Alaves in a 2-0 win last season.
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Photo: Getty Images
Busquets back after missing the Clasico
Sergio Busquets returns to the Barcelona team after missing Wednesday night's Clasico clash against Real Madrid with a bout of fever.
The Catalan midfielder was originally in the starting line-up posted by Barca on Wednesday, but that was a mistake and coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed afterwards he had not been well.
The 31-year-old missed training on Thursday, but has recovered and is in the XI for the visit of Alaves at Camp Nou today.
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Photo: Getty Images
Confirmed team news
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Aleñá, Busquets, Arturo Vidal, Messi, Suárez, Griezmann
Subs: Neto, Semedo, Rakitic, Lenglet, De Jong, Junior Firpo, Carles Pérez
Alaves: Pacheco; Martín, Ximo, Ely, Duarte; Pere Pons, Manu García; Vidal, Javi Muñoz, Wakaso; Lucas Pérez
Subs: Sivera, Borja Sainz, Laguardia, Joselu, Rioja, Marin, Burke
Match odds
- Barcelona to win: 1/6
- Draw: 8/1
- Alaves to win: 23/1
Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Alaves: There is little to suggest Barca will be troubled this weekend. Valverde's side have scored 43 goals in 17 Liga games, including 30 in eight home games.
Barca have only dropped points at home against Real Madrid, while Alaves have lost six of their eight away games - and that means it would take something truly special to even get a draw at Camp Nou.
Possible lineups
Barcelona possible XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, De Jong, Messi, Suarez, Griezmann
Alaves possible XI: Pacheco; Navarro, Ely, Laguardia, Duarte; Pons, Garcia, Wakaso; Vidal, Perez, Burke
Welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Barcelona vs Alaves as the hosts target a victory which would keep them top of LaLiga going into Christmas.