Barcelona boss Xavi will have to cope without Ilkay Gundogan for Thursday's La Liga meeting with basement side Almeria at the Power Horse Stadium.

Gundogan has been a regular fixture in the Barcelona side this season, featuring in 34 of the club's 35 league matches.

However, the former Manchester City midfielder will be forced to miss the midweek away trip through suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the league season at the weekend.

The Catalan giants are still without Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, who are both in the treatment room due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Left-back Alejandro Balde remains unavailable for selection, but he has started to work on the grass as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Jules Kounde is set to retain his place at right-back, while Hector Fort could be given the chance to start on the left side of defence.

Uruguay international Ronald Araujo was left on the bench on Saturday due to some discomfort, and if he is unable to feature, Inigo Martinez will resume his central defensive partnership with 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi.

With Gundogan suspended, Fermin Lopez is in contention to make his 12th La Liga start of the season, with the 21-year-old set to be joined in the middle of the park by Andreas Christensen and Pedri.

Xavi has admitted he will rotate his starting lineup, and he could be tempted to select Ferran Torres and Joao Felix as his wide players so he can rest Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

Robert Lewandowski will continue to spearhead the Barcelona attack, with the veteran forward looking to add to his 17-goal league tally and close the three-goal gap to the league's top scorer Artem Dovbyk.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Fort; Pedri, Christensen, Fermin; Torres, Felix, Lewandowski body check tags ::