With leading frontman Luis Suarez suspended, Spaniard Paco Alcacer is set to take his place up top for Barcelona when the runaway La Liga leaders face Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou on Sunday (7.15pm UAE).

Suarez picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 win at Malaga last weekend – resulting in an automatic one-match ban – and opening the door to Alcacer’s inclusion from the start.

The 24-year-old, who has netted five times in all competitions this season, hasn’t completed 90 minutes in 2018 and has indeed failed to find the back of the net since the turn of the year.

However, he will likely take his place alongside Lionel Messi in a 4-4-2 system while Andre Gomes will come in for the injured Sergio Busquets and Philippe Coutinho is also set to return after being cup-tied for the Champions League win over Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Nelson Semedo is still out with a hamstring injury and Denis Suarez is also sidelined.

Barcelona hold an eight-point advantage at the top of the table, with second-placed Atletico Madrid also in action on Sunday against Villarreal.

LIKELY LINE-UP

Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Dembele, Rakitic, Gomes, Coutinho; Messi, Alcacer.