MADRID, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Deportivo Alaves is preparing for a vital home match against already-crowned La Liga champion Barcelona on Wednesday.
Alaves sits third from bottom, two points behind 17th-placed Espanyol, meaning anything other than a win would leave it in the relegation zone at the end of the midweek round.
For the sold-out match, Alaves will be without striker Lucas Boye because of a hamstring problem, while top scorer Toni Martinez remains doubtful after being forced off with a physical problem in the weekend draw at Elche.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is likely to make major changes to his starting lineup, with Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Marc Bernal and Roony Bardghji among those who could come into the team.
Wednesday's three other matches mix the race for Europe with the fight against relegation. Villarreal, which has already secured a place in next season's Champions League, hosts Sevilla, which is only three points above Alaves.
Mallorca is one point behind Sevilla before a difficult visit to Getafe, which is currently on course to qualify for next season's Conference League.
Espanyol, level on points with Mallorca after an 18-game winless run dating back to December, faces Athletic Club, which still has a chance of a top-seven finish. ■
