It's been a while since Barcelona had to fight so hard for points in LaLiga, yet Alaves really tested the league leaders before Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez saved the Blaugrana.

You could argue that Thursday's exertions in the Copa del Rey tie against Espanyol left the Catalan giants feeling fatigued, however, Ernesto Valverde's team were overwhelmed by the visitors for much of the first half.

Since Abelardo Fernandez's arrival at the club, Alaves have been a totally different proposition, and they harried Barcelona to deservedly go a goal ahead in the first half.

Despite fielding an incredibly attacking starting line-up, the hosts struggled to create many chances, and much of their lack of incisiveness came from the wrong balance on the right.Philippe Coutinho's first start since joining the club showed him to not be suited to a right midfield position,.He looked uncomfortable for much of the match and struggled to contribute.

Sergio Busquets' absence was felt, especially in the build-up to John Guidetti's goal, and there was a real lack of discipline as Los Cules threw their entire team into the Alaves half only to be caught on the counter attack.

In the end the South American duo made the difference, Suarez scoring the equalising goal and Messi scoring the winner with a fantastic free kick.

Suarez's strike was created by a piece of magnificent play from Andres Iniesta, the midfielder providing the assist for the Uruguayan who had been waiting inside the penalty area for a chance.

His poor run of form is now a distant memory and Suarez is on course to get close to the LaLiga scoring records set by Ronaldo Nazario and Messi himself.

Messi's goal was the Argentine's 20th of the LaLiga season, and after seeing a similar free kick saved by Fernando Pacheco in the first half, he wasn't going to fail a second time.

                                                                              Monday January 2018 Soccer and Football Predictions...