Barcelona will travel to struggling Real Betis on Sunday evening without Gerard Pique or Sergio Busquets after they were left out of coach Gerardo Martino's 18-man squad.
Pique has been struggling with a groin strain in recent weeks and was also left out of Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad for the friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa later this month to allow him to recover.
Busquets will however go on international duty with the world champions and Martino explained that, with that in mind, it was better to hand him a rest and a rare starting opportunity to Alex Song.
"Sergio has played eight consecutive games, two with the national team and six with Barca," he said.
"The evaluation of Song is always very good. The response he has given in the three or four games he has played has been very positive."
Victory over AC Milan in midweek continued Barca's near perfect start to the season as they ensured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Catalans also lead La Liga, having dropped just two points in 12 games, and ahead of a two-week international break Martino doesn't want any slip ups against a Betis side that currently sit in the relegation zone.
"Betis are dangerous because they are a good team. It doesn't matter what position they are in. Anyone who watched them play against Real Madrid in the first game of the season knows they are a good side.
"The next game is far off and if we don't win, we won't be able to work in a comfortable environment."