By virtue of the fact that Barcelona have won two of their last three league outings by the solitary goal, you could say that Luis Enrique's side are limping toward La Liga glory.
However, the Catalans' visit to in-form Sevilla on Saturday is bound to test their title credentials further as they look to topple a side in the middle of a five-game winning streak.
Sevilla
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With seven points separating Sevilla from fourth-placed Valencia at the beginning of March, you could have been forgiven for believing that Unai Emery's side had blown their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Yet, when high-flying Barca come to town on Saturday, the hosts know that just a point may be enough to take them above Los Che and into the top four ahead of the remaining eight games.
It has certainly been a spirited comeback by the Rojiblancos in a thrilling top-four face, with Emery's men winning five successive Liga outings to put them right back in contention for Europe's elite competition next season - only goal difference has them fifth.
It was a thrilling 4-3 win at Deportivo La Coruna on March 7 that appears to have proven a watershed moment in their season, with victories against Elche, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Levante all following in a run of form that is almost certain to have grabbed Barcelona's attention.
Recent form: DWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions) WWWWWW
Barcelona
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While Sevilla promise to be no pushovers, Enrique's men are the only side in the Primera Division in a better run of form than the Rojiblancos as Barcelona come into this one on the back of a 4-0 thumping of Almeria - a victory that extended their winning streak to six games.
You could argue that Barca's fortunes changed on February 21 after losing 2-1 at home to Malaga in a defeat that left them four points behind leaders Real Madrid. Fast forward 49 days and it's the Blaugrana who lead the way in La Liga - four points clear of their El Clasico rivals.
In a title race that has already produced a number of twists and turns, Barca will surely be keeping the champagne on ice for the moment but victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan may give them licence to dream of a first title since 2013.
Five of their last eight opponents currently sit in the bottom half of La Liga, with a visit to defending champions Atletico Madrid in the penultimate matchday arguably the trickiest outing that they have left this season.
Victory here, though, and the result at Atletico may not matter a great deal by the time May 17 comes around.
Still, it could prove to be a season-defining few weeks for Barcelona, whose next three games include top-four hopefuls Valencia and home and away to Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League quarter-final tie.
Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
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Emery is expected to recall star striker Carlos Bacca to his first XI after the Colombian dropped to the bench for the 2-1 win at Levante despite scoring in the 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend. Aleix Vidal, who scored the other goal, was also dropped and he could return to action too.
Meanwhile, Barcelona could welcome Neymar back into the fold to restore the team's star-studded attacking trident alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. The Brazilian dropped to the bench for the 4-0 win over Almeria, with Enrique later explaining that exhaustion was the reason behind his omission, as Pedro deputised.
A troublesome foot injury threatened Messi's participation on Wednesday, but the Argentine curled home a fantastic opener against Almeria to quell fears over that issue. Sergio Busquets, who sat out the win through suspension, could return.
Enrique also has a big decision to make at left-back as Jordi Alba, who has missed their last two games with a hamstring injury, trained on Thursday. With Adriano impressing in his stead, however, the Barca coach may allow the Brazilian to deputise once more.
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Rico; Tremoulinas, Figueiras, Kolodzieczak, Pareja; Krychowiak, Iborra; Carrico, Vidal, Vitolo; Bacca
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Alves, Mathieu, Pique, Adriano; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Head To Head
If there is such thing as a psychological edge in football then Barcelona may have one over Sevilla, having won their last meeting 5-1 courtesy of a Messi hat-trick.
That victory represented their sixth successive win over the Rojiblancos, with Sevilla's last Liga triumph over their Basque counterparts coming way back in 2007.
We say: Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona
Despite Sevilla's form, it is difficult to see Emery's troops having enough to slow Barcelona's momentum as they look to move one step closer to Liga glory.
Shane Callaghan
