Javier Mascherano has joined the queue to the Camp Nou treatment room with champions Barcelona hit by a spate of injuries before they begin the new season in La Liga against Betis Saturday.

Luis Enrique's side paid a high price for winning the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla, with captain Andres Iniesta and defenders Jeremy Mathieu and Mascherano sustaining injuries over the two legs that will keep them out of Saturday's game.

Barcelona are also without star forward Neymar, who is at the Olympics, while goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is still recovering from a minor knee injury.

Gus Poyet's Betis have added several players in the summer, including Roma striker Antonio Sanabria, who was on loan at Sporting Gijon last season.

Real Madrid have to wait until Sunday to kick off their campaign, making the trip to Anoeta to face Real Sociedad, which has been a problematic venue for La Liga's top teams in recent years.

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