Barcelona go into their home game with city rivals Espanyol knowing that anything less than three points could spell the end of their title challenge.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta, striker Thierry Henry and defenders Rafael Marquez, Gabriel Milito and Lilian Thuram are all doubts for Barcelona because of minor injury niggles.

Portugal midfielder Deco is expected to return to the sqad after over a month out with a calf injury.

* Barca midfielder Xavi has dismissed talk of a crisis after the club's recent slide in form in which they have won just one of their last seven league matches.

"Crisis is the situation we were in five years ago, but not now," the Spain international was quoted as saying in the Spanish media.

"People love to talk about a crisis but we are in the semi-finals of the Champions League. What sort of crisis is that?"

* Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde believes the chance of beating city rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp will provide an extra incentive for his side to halt their slide in form in the second half of the season.

"For me the game is the perfect occasion for us to react because it is a derby and it is the opponents and venue I would choose to inspire us," he said.

Espanyol, who were challenging for a Champions League place earlier in the season, have dropped to eighth after taking just nine of the last 39 points on offer.

* Leaders Real Madrid will be without influential midfielder Guti and right back Miguel Torres for Sunday's match at Racing Santander because of suspension.

Real's appeal against Guti's booking in last weekend's 1-0 win over Real Murcia was rejected, while Torres is suspended after being sent off in the same game.

* Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola is hoping to get a rare chance to impress coach Bernd Schuster when his side travel to Santander.

"I haven't played much and I want to show the football that I've got inside me and help the team in the run-in to win the league," the Argentine told Marca.

The former Barcelona player has started just three of his side's 32 league games this season.

* Valencia coach Ronald Koeman remains under pressure despite leading his side to victory in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday and Spanish media have said he could be sacked if his side lose at Athletic Bilbao this weekend.

Valencia have won just four league matches since Koeman took charge last November and are only five points above the relegation zone with six matches left to play.

* Real Zaragoza will be without Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem for Saturday's crunch match against fellow strugglers Recreativo Huelva after his appeal against a red card was rejected on Thursday.

Leading striker Diego Milito was left out of the initial squad because of a bruised leg.

Zaragoza are in 18th place in the 20-team division, three points behind Recreativo.

* Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has warned striker Luis Fabiano and full-back Daniel Alves to put aside their personal interests and concentrate on the team after their hints that they want to leave the club at the end of the season.

"Sevilla is fighting for its sporting life in the final six games as we are trying to qualify for the Champions League for the second season in a row," Del Nido was quoted as saying in the Spanish media on Friday.

"Football is a collective sport and I won't tolerate anyone who puts themselves before the rest of the team."

* Levante could be relegated if they lose at home to Copa del Rey finalists Getafe on Sunday and Recreativo earn a point at Real Zaragoza on Saturday.

The game will be Jose Angel Moreno's first game in charge of the team following Gianni De Biasi's decision to quit the club and rejoin his former team Torino for the remainder of the season.

Reuters