Barcelona will be hoping to ensure the title race goes down to the final day of the season, when they travel to Las Palmas on Sunday night.
A win for the Catalan club will ensure that would indeed be the case, as they currently lead Real Madrid on goal difference at the top of the table. However, Real do have a game in hand on their old rivals.
Madrid face Sevilla at the same time as Barcelona's tie with Las Palmas, meaning that Luis Enrique will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the Spanish capital.
For Las Palmas, they must address their recent poor run of form, which has seen the Island side slide down the table and into 14th.
History
The sides first met in November 2000, and have gone on to meet on six occasions since.
Barcelona have certainly had the upper hand in the seven clashes, winning five and drawing two of the previous meetings. Luis Suarez scored twice, as Barcelona swept Las Palmas aside 5-0 at the Nou Camp earlier this year.
Key Battles
Javi Varas v Lionel Messi
Varas has only kept two clean sheets this season and has conceded nine in his past three matches. The 34-year-old will need to perform at his best if he has any hope of stopping a Barcelona side who score goals for fun, especially Messi.
The Argentinian has been in a sublime run of form over the past few weeks, and has netted eight times in his last five La Liga matches.
Kevin Prince Boateng v Samuel Umtiti
Boateng is expected to return to the Las Palmas side following his one game suspension, after he was sent off against Atletico Madrid.
The former Tottenham and Portsmouth attacker has scored ten La Liga goals this season and Umtiti will need to be mindful of Boateng on Sunday.
The 23-year-old could take up a central position in a makeshift back three, alongside Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba.
Recent League Form
Las Palmas (LLLDLW)
Quique Setién's men secured their status as a La Liga side for next season a number of weeks ago, and their form has suffered as a result.
The side from the Canary Islands look like they may have spent the past weeks on those famous golden beaches.
Since trashing Real Betis at the start of April, Las Palmas have lost four of their last five and have conceded 15 goals in that time.
Barcelona (WWWWWL)
Quite the opposite from Barcelona who have been involved in an epic tussle with Real Madrid over the past weeks.
Since losing to Malaga on 8th April, the Catalan's have won their last five league matches, including that epic win against Real Madrid.
The reigning Spanish champions have averaged a remarkable four goals per game in their past five outings.
Team News
Las Palmas
The only new absentee for Las Palmas is first choice left-back Dani Castellano, who is suffering from a hamstring problem. Kevin Prince Boateng has a slight knock but is expected to return to the side.
Barcelona
Luis Enrique is facing a defensive dilemma ahead of the trip to the Canary Islands, with Sergio Roberto picking up an injury this week, while Gerard Pique is unwell.
They join defenders Alex Vidal, Jeremy Mathieu and Lucas Digne in being unavailable for selection, and mean Barca only have three fit senior defenders to choose from.
As a result the Catalan's are expected to revert to a back three which they employed earlier in the season.
Las Palmas Potential XI: Varas, Simon, Lemos, Bigas, Momo, Mesa, Montoro, Viera, Hernan, Boateng, Jese
Barcelona Potential XI: Ter Stergen, Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba, D.Suarez, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, L.Suarez, Neymar
Prediction
All the stats suggest it will be a comfortable Barcelona win, but the side will find it difficult with a makeshift back three. Given that, and Barca's unstoppable front three, this game has goals written all over it.
Despite Barcelona's defensive woes, Las Palmas appear to be on their holidays having secured their La Liga status for next season.
Las Palmas 2-5 Barcelona
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