Newly-crowned La Liga champions Barcelona host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday for what promises to be an emotional final day of the league season at Camp Nou.
On Thursday, legendary midfielder Xavi Hernandez announced that he would be leaving the club, meaning that the visit of Deportivo is his final home game in a trophy-laden 17-year spell in Catalunya.
Barcelona
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In the same week that English football will lose one of its great midfielders in Steven Gerrard, the Spanish game braces itself for a similar loss after Xavi announced his departure.
It is the end of an era in Catalunya this weekend and, judging by the number of medals that he will bring to Qatar, an illustrious one.
Eight Liga titles, six Spanish Super Cups, three Champions Leagues, three World Club Cups and two Copa del Reys - few can argue that he is not one of the greats.
Furthermore, the 35-year-old could yet add two more honours to that list if Barcelona go all the way and win the Copa del Rey and Champions League - and few would back against them.
Luis Enrique's side enacted revenge on 2014 Liga champions Atletico Madrid - who won the title at Camp Nou - by beating them 1-0 in their backyard last week to seal the league and complete part one of a potential treble.
In truth, the visit of Deportivo on the final day is of little consequence to a team who will have one eye on Atletico in the Copa del Rey final on May 30, and another on Juventus the following week in Berlin.
After comfortably exceeding the 100-goal barrier, the Catalans' star-studded triumvirate of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi are well used to the spotlight this season. However, Saturday will see it shift to midfield for one night only as pass-master Xavi prepares for his curtain call.
Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWLW
Deportivo La Coruna
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Deportivo La Coruna beat Levante 2-0 last week to end a 14-match winless run and breathe new life into their relegation battle. But, with a visit to the champions looming, it remains to be seen if the damage has already been done.
In contrast to their high-flying hosts on Saturday, Victor Sanchez's side travel to Catalunya knowing that defeat, coupled with an Elche win over bottom-of-the-table Cordoba, would see Deportivo relegated.
In truth, Sanchez has struggled to bring about an upturn in fortunes since replacing Victor Fernandez on April 10. They were two points clear of danger when Sanchez took over and that remains the case now.
Two victories since February, with 99 days between both wins, has seen Deportivo slapped with the unenviable task of needing to upset the newly-crowned champions to guarantee their status.
Despite a reprieve last Sunday, it has not been good enough from the Brancoazuis and they can have few complaints should they get relegated this weekend.
While it is unfortunate for them to face Barcelona away on the final day, the visitors have had more than enough opportunities in which to render this clash a mere end-of-season dead rubber.
Recent form: LDLDDW
Team News
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Enrique is expected to make a host of changes to preserve his key players' fitness ahead of finals in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Third-choice goalkeeper Jordi Masip could feature, while defender Thomas Vermaelen could make his long-awaited debut in what has been an injury-ravaged first season.
Sergio Busquets is expected to take a backseat in favour of Sergi Roberto, while Pedro could replace Luis Suarez, who is a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Meanwhile, Sanchez has a couple of absentees. Luisinho serves out a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards, while Pablo Insua has been ruled out with a foot injury.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Masip; Alves, Vermaelen, Mathieu, Montoya; Roberto, Xavi, Rakitic; Pedro, Neymar, Messi
Deportivo La Coruna possible starting lineup:
Fabricio; Laure, Lopo, Sidnei, Manuel Pablo; Borges, Bergantinos; Lucas, Diogo Salomao, Toche; Riera
Head To Head
Deportivo travel to Catalunya with the omens firmly against them after losing seven of the last eight meetings home and away - the other being a 0-0 draw in the 2010-11 campaign.
The visitors have not defeated their Catalan counterparts in 12 years - a 2-0 win at Camp Nou in 2003.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Barcelona 3-1 Deportivo La Coruna
Despite the prospect of naming a fringe XI, Barcelona should still have enough quality in reserve to get past Deportivo and nudge Sanchez's men closer to the Segunda Division. We reckon it will be closer than it looks on paper, but the hosts will still prevail.
Shane Callaghan
