Hansi Flick is expected to give competitive club debuts to summer signings Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon - but Rodri remains out as part of his recovery from back surgery.
Teenage star Hamza Abdelkarim could also make his first appearance in the Spanish top-flight after the 18-year-old impressed in preseason for Flick's youthful squad.
Several key names are only just back from their summer breaks, after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that will impact Flick's selection calls at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.
Robert Lewandowski's move to MLS - and Ferran Torres' call to join PSG - has left Barcelona short in their central attacking options and Raphinha could be repurposed there in the weeks ahead.
Julian Alvarez remains on Flick's transfer radar, but his chances of signing the Argentinian before the summer window closes appear slim.
The former Bayern Munich boss is ready to lean on his less experienced stars and insisted he has no concerns over his squad depth.
"I'm not worried that we haven't signed a No.9 yet. I don't like to talk about players from other teams. Deco and I talk every day. It's all about the team and the club.
"Only Deco, I, and a few other people know exactly what we want. Deco is doing a fantastic job.
"Hamza had a very good preseason. He's a No.9, a young player with lots of potential, who scores goals. He's done a fantastic job."