MADRID, March 29 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona need to overcome a long list of absentees on Saturday in order to beat Las Palmas and keep the pressure on league leaders Real Madrid ahead of the "Clasico" between the two sides in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on April 21st.
Xavi Hernandez's side go into Saturday's game eight points behind Real Madrid and with a visit to Cadiz next weekend, Barca can't afford to drop any more points if they are to travel to the Bernabeu with their slim title options intact.
Barca were arguably playing their best football of the season before the international break and got a huge morale boost by assuring their place in the Champions League quarterfinals, despite being without injured midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
The last two weeks have seen injury list increase with Andreas Christensen suffering an Achilles tendon problem that means he is unlikely to be risked. The defender had adapted well to a midfield holding role in De Jong's absence, helping provide cover to a defensive line where 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi has looked very impressive.
Ronald Araujo is also a doubt with a muscle problem and the defender is unlikely to be risked, which means Inigo Martinez will probably partner Cubarsi against Las Palmas.
The side from the Canary Islands are coached by former Barcelona B-team boss, Francisco Garcia-Pimienta and their style of play is clear for anyone who has seen them.
After all-but assuring their survival for another season, Las Palmas seemed to run out of steam in the weeks before the international break and travel to Barcelona after five games without a win, including a defeat to Almeria, who had not won all season, just before the break. ■
