Preview: Barcelona vs. Deportivo La Coruna

Barcelona will be desperate to erase the memories of their recent back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid on Saturday when they host Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga.

The Catalan club were beaten 3-1 by their rivals in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey before a 2-1 loss in the league last weekend reduced their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.

Meanwhile, bottom-placed Deportivo come into the match with six defeats and two draws in their last eight matches - a run of form that has left them eight points from safety.

Victor Valdes starts a four-match ban for the hosts, while Xavi Hernandez is expected to be absent again as he recovers from a thigh injury.

Carlos Marchena misses out for the hosts through suspension.

Recent form

Barca: WWLWLL

Deportivo: LLLLLD

Possible lineups

Barca: Pinto; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Thiago, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa

Deportivo: Aranzubia; Silvio, Pablo, Ze Castro, Ayoze; Aguilar, Assuncao; Valeron; Gama, Pizzi; Riki

Sports Mole says: 4-0