Barcelona will be without injured pair Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez for the visit to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, the Catalan club announced on their website on Saturday.
Midfielder Xavi is sidelined for around two weeks with a muscle tear in his left calf while defender Pique is recovering from a clash of heads suffered in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea on Tuesday.
Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions, are now out of Europe's premier club competition and could see arch-rivals Real Madrid virtually secure the title on Sunday when they host Sevilla (1000 GMT).
With four games in the season remaining Real have a seven-point lead over Barcelona, who kick off against Rayo at 1930 GMT.
Due to injuries elsewhere in his squad, Barca coach Pep Guardiola, who announced on Friday he would quit the post at the end of the season, has had to plug the gap by bringing in youth team players Martin Montoya, Marc Bartra and Cristian Tello.
Source: AFP
