La Liga: Barcelona v Espanyol, the derby

Midfielder Andres Iniesta, striker Thierry Henry and defenders Rafael Marquez, Gabriel Milito and Lilian Thuram are all doubts for Barcelona's match at home to city rivals Espanyol on Saturday because of minor injury niggles.

Portugal midfielder Deco is expected to return to the sqad after over a month out with a calf injury. * Barca midfielder Xavi has dismissed talk of a crisis after the club's recent slide in form in which they have won just one of their last seven league matches. "Crisis is the situation we were in five years ago, but not now," the Spain international was quoted as saying in the Spanish media. "People love to talk about a crisis but we are in the semi-finals of the Champions League. What sort of crisis is that?"

* Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde believes the chance of beating city rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp will provide an extra incentive for his side to halt their slide in form in the second half of the season. "For me the game is the perfect occasion for us to react because it is a derby and it is the opponents and venue I would choose to inspire us," he said.

Espanyol, who were challenging for a Champions League place earlier in the season, have dropped to eighth after taking just nine of the last 39 points on offer.

* Leaders Real Madrid will be without influential midfielder Guti and right back Miguel Torres for Sunday's match at Racing Santander because of suspension.