Madrid: Barcelona face an uncomfortable trip to bogey side Real Sociedad tomorrow as they seek to avoid losing further ground on Real Madrid just a week before the two clash in the Clasico.
Barca have lost on their travels to San Sebastian in each of the past three seasons and already trail Real by four points having been held 0-0 at home by nine-man Malaga last weekend.
A run of four straight wins, including over Atletico Madrid in their last home outing, has seen Real Sociedad rise to joint fourth in the table.
Barca will again be without the injured Andres Iniesta and Samuel Umtiti.
Zinedine Zidane's men extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 30 games with victory at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
However, progression to the last 16 of the Champions League for a record 20th straight season came at a huge cost as Gareth Bale will have to undergo surgery on an ankle injury that is set to keep the Welshman out for at least two months.
Real should still have way too much firepower for a Sporting side that haven't won in nine La Liga games and are in the bottom three.
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is also a booking away from missing the Clasico and may not be risked after making his return from a six-week injury lay-off in Portugal in midweek.
Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata are also sidelined.
