MADRID, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona travel to Las Palmas for matchday 26 of Spain's La Liga on Thursday night.
It could be a tricky trip for Barca manager Ernesto Valverde. Barca's lead at the top of the table could be reduced to just four points over Atletico Madrid if Atletico win at home to Leganes on Wednesday night. Atletico are the next visitors to the Camp Nou in what could be the decisive game of the season on Sunday.
A win for Barca in Las Palmas and then at home to an Atletico side that has suffered just one league defeat all season, would just about assure Barca the title, but a slip up on Thursday and defeat to Atletico would leave the race wide open.
Valverde's main dilemma is Luis Suarez, who conspicuously tried and failed to earn himself a yellow card during Saturday's 6-1 win at home to Girona.
A yellow card would have meant Suarez was suspended on Thursday but would be free to play against Atletico at the weekend.
Suarez's failure to get himself booked now means a booking in Las Palmas would see him suspended for what is potentially the decisive game of the season and Valverde must decide whether or not to risk the temperamental Uruguayan or to play someone else instead.
Paco Alcacer would be a natural replacement, but he is suffering from a stomach bug and Valverde may not want to risk Ousmane Dembele with another start so soon after recovering from his second injury of the season. Meanwhile Nelson Semedo is injured and Jordi Alba is suspended for the trip.
Lionel Messi will lead the attack and it is likely that Philippe Coutinho will also be in the side, perhaps with Andres Iniesta or Aleix Vidal against a rival that has improved of late, but still has a long way to go if they want to avoid relegation.
