A Barca win would see the reigning champions open up a five-point lead at the summit, and leave out-of-sorts Sevilla with a mountain to climb to get back into contention.

An away victory would also leave Barca at least six points clear of their other two main title challengers, Valencia and Real Madrid, who have home matches against Celta Vigo and Getafe respectively this weekend.

Sevilla will know the importance of taking three points off the leaders, a result that would see the UEFA Cup holders take over top spot.

However, their build-up to the match has been marred by the controversial incident during Wednesday's abandoned Copa del Rey clash at local rivals Real Betis which saw coach Juande Ramos end up in hospital.

Ramos was knocked unconscious after being struck by a bottle thrown from the stands at Betis' Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium, and subsequently spent the night at a local hospital under observation.

The 52-year-old was discharged on Thursday morning though, and looks likely to take charge for this weekend's top-of-the-table clash.

Sevilla go into the showdown having won just two of their eight league matches in 2007, while the goals also appear to have dried up for the Andalusian side with four of their last six Primera Liga outings finishing 0-0.

For Barca, the encounter represents a great chance to boost confidence ahead of next week's crucial Champions League trip to Liverpool, where they need to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the home leg of their last-16 tie.

Another side who face a potentially critical week are Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Madrid coach Fabio Capello has found himself under increasing pressure following some dire performances, and the team's next three games - home to Getafe, at Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and Barcelona away - could be make-or-break for both club and Capello.

"I think the match against Getafe is the most important," Madrid defender Michel Salgado said.

"This is indeed a very tough week - we risk being eliminated from the Champions League.

"In order for us to have options of winning in Munich we must defeat Getafe at home.

"They will be a tough team because they are playing an excellent season. Performing well on Sunday will also be crucial for us to play well at the Nou Camp the following weekend."

Fifth-placed Atletico Madrid will be hoping to take advantage of any slip-ups from Madrid or third-placed Valencia this weekend, as they are only three points behind the pair heading into their game at Recreativo Huelva.

Real Zaragoza, in sixth, will look to put Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final exit at the hands of Barca behind them when they take on second-bottom Real Sociedad, while Osasuna, who were knocked out of the cup by Getafe, go to Racing Santander.

In a crunch clash at the foot of the table, last-placed Gimnastic Tarragona go to third-bottom Athletic Bilbao with both clubs desperate for points.

Two other sides in the relegation mix meet at the Ono Estadi when Real Mallorca host Levante, while in-form Espanyol will look to make it six competitive wins out of six when they meet Villarreal.

In this weekend's other Primera Liga fixture, Deportivo La Coruna, who have yet to lose in 12 league and cup games in 2007, take on Betis, who have lost just once in 12 matches since Luis Fernandez took over as coach.