Sevilla v Barcelona preview: Jordi Alba returns for league leaders

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has recovered from an adductor injury and is available for the La Liga leaders’ clash with Sevilla on Saturday.

Alba picked up the injury on international duty last month but is back in contention for the game at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

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"The defender is healthy again after suffering a right abductor injury in Spain's Euro 2016 qualifier versus Ukraine," Barca’s website revealed.

Barcelona also have Sergio Busquets available after serving a one-match ban in midweek. His return could see Javier Mascherano drop into defence, with Jeremy Mathieu possibly missing out.

The Catalan club sit four points clear at the top of the table going into the weekend’s fixtures but could see the gap cut to a single point by the time they kick-off, with Real Madrid hosting Eibar earlier in the afternoon.

One man who knows what to expect in Seville better than most is midfielder Ivan Rakitic who will return to his old stomping ground for the first time since joining Barcelona last summer.

"Every team that comes to the Pizjuan knows how tough it is to play there and the fans there add to that pressure," the Croatia international told Barca's website.

"But playing for Sevilla you also know how tough it is to play against Barca. We always had a very hard time. We've got eight matches to go this season and to win this game would be pretty big.

"I'm going to give it my all to help my teammates. I always want to win, whether I'm training or playing cards with my wife."