FC Barcelona are considering resting striker Luis Suarez for their La Liga match on Saturday.
Barcelona play Real Sociedad knowing a win would assure at least a two point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, reports Xinhua.
Coach Luis Enrique knows that if his side win all of their remaining matches this season they will be crowned La Liga champions but that any slip-up could open the door for Real Madrid.
Suarez is currently one booking away from suspension and should he pick up a yellow card on Saturday it would see him watch the following week's crunch game from the sidelines.
So Enrique is contemplating resting Suarez. Veteran midfielder Xavi Hernandez or winger Pedro Rodriguez could stand in his place.
Barcelona showed on Wednesday in their 3-0 Champions League win at home against German champions Bayern Munich that they are in their best form of the season.
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Should Barcelona win they would temporarily open a five-point lead over Real Madrid who would then be obliged to win at home to Valencia.
Real Madrid know that as well as defeating Valencia on Saturday they also need to come back to overturn a 1-2 deficit against Italian champions Juventus in their own Champions League semi-final return leg next week.
With midfielder Luka Modric still out with his knee injury, coach Carlo Ancelotti has few options to rotate his side in midfield. He will probably opt to return Sergio Ramos to defence and play Asier Illaramendi as a midfielder.
Striker Karim Benzema could also return to action after recovering from his knee issues.