MADRID, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Liga Santander leaders FC Barcelona look to go into the forthcoming international break on a high when they entertain Athletic Club Bilbao in the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday night.
A win for Barca would temporarily extend their lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table to 11 points and put pressure on their title rivals ahead of Atletico's game away against Villarreal which kicks off after the match in the Camp Nou finishes.
Barca have not lost at home to Athletic since 2001 and are so far unbeaten in the league all season.
Meanwhile the Basque side is one of Leo Messi's favorite victims with the striker having scored 12 goals in his last 14 appearances against Athletic Club.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has a few decisions to make ahead of facing the club he coached for the past four seasons: Sergio Busquets is injured and Luis Suarez suspended and the coach has to decide whether to play with three forwards and bring Paco Alcacer into his starting 11, or to play an extra man in midfield, in which case Aleix Vidal or Andre Gomes would have a chance of starting.
While Barca take on Athletic following their 3-0 Champions League win over Chelsea on Wednesday night, the visitors crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday after a 2-1 home defeat to Olympique Marseilles.
Coach Jose Angel 'Kuko' Ziganda is under pressure with a large section of the fans unhappy at the lack of personality or style of play since he replaced Valverde last summer and a heavy defeat on Sunday will only highlight the comparison between the two coaches, who used to be team-mates.
Yeray Alvarez, Iker Muniain and Mikel Rico are all injured for Athletic, but Inigo Martinez (cup tied) and Raul Garcia and Mikel San Jose (suspension) will be available after missing out in midweek.?
