Pizjuan Stadium first destination in the long week for Barca

MADRID - FC Barcelona face the first game of what promises to be a difficult and decisive week when they return to the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to play Sevilla in the Liga Santander on Saturday night.

Barca travel with an seven point lead at the top of the table over Atletico Madrid and a nine-point advantage over Real Madrid, who they play in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday and Saturday night; first in the Copa del Rey semifinal and then in the league.

Coach Ernesto Valverde must be worried about his side's recent form, which has seen them score just a Leo Messi penalty in their last three matches, although Barca created enough chances on Tuesday to have comfortably won their Champions League game in Lyon rather than draw 0-0.

Barca have already played once in the Sanchez Pizjuan this season, losing 2-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Sevilla and although they won the return leg 6-1 a week later, the tie was actually in the balance until Luis Suarez netted Barca's fifth of the game in the 89th minute.

Valverde will have to juggle his squad slightly and is likely to try and the fact that three players Clement Lenglet, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic would miss the league game in the Bernabeu could be a factor when it comes to selecting his starting 11.

He will try and give some game time to Samuel Umtiti, who traveled to Lyon, but didn't play after a long time out with a knee injury, while youngster Carles Alena could have a chance to play if Valverde wants to protect Rakitic.

Sevilla are currently fourth in the table, but a run of just six points from a possible 24 means they could have been overtaken by Getafe, who play earlier in the day, if they win their match at home to Rayo Vallecano.

They will have recovered confidence with a 2-0 win at home to Lazio in the Europa League on Wednesday night, but with a day less to recover, that could also be a factor.

Finally former Barca striker Munir El Haddadi will be looking to impress against the club who allowed him to move down south in January.