Xavi Hernandez starts on the bench for Barcelona in tonight's match against Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp.

Gerard Pique will also begin on the sidelines as coach Pep Guardiola puts Javier Mascherano in defence.

Elsewhere, Cristian Tello makes only his third La Liga appearance for Barca, with Lionel Messi also in attack.

Barca:
Valdes; Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano; Fabregas, Dos Santos, Thiago; Messi, Cuenca, Tello
Subs: Pinto, Alexis, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Xavi, Busquets, Abidal

Sociedad:
Bravo; Cadamuro, Martinez, Gonzalez, C. Martinez, Aranburu; Bergara, Griezmann, Prieto, Prado; Ifran