Barcelona will aim to return to winning ways when they host Alaves on Saturday after suffering consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Hansi Flick’s side lost 4-2 to PSG in the Champions League before falling 2-1 to Real Madrid in El Clasico. Despite the setbacks, Barcelona remain top of La Liga with 27 points, two ahead of Atletico Madrid and three clear of Real Madrid.

The Catalan giants will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive defeat as they prepare for a busy run of fixtures, including a Champions League clash with Aston Villa and a league meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona have won 36 of their 51 previous meetings with Alaves, although the visitors claimed a 1-0 victory in their last encounter in May.

Alaves have also struggled recently, going six league matches without a win, including a 1-1 draw with Malaga in their last outing.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side sit seventh with 12 points from 10 matches, having recorded three wins, three draws and four defeats.

They have conceded 11 goals, the same as Barcelona, but their 14 goals scored pale in comparison with the Catalans’ 40.

Barcelona will be without Xavi Espart, who faces seven weeks out with an ankle injury, while Dani Olmo, Roony Bardghji and Eric Garcia are also sidelined.

Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen remain doubts. Alaves are without Facundo Garces and Mikel Rodriguez, but Lucas Boye, who has scored five goals in nine appearances, will be a key threat.

Mariano Diaz is also expected to feature after recording three goals and four assists this season.

Barcelona will start as favourites, particularly with home advantage, but must improve defensively to prevent the struggling visitors from causing another upset.