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Suarez set to rest for key Real Sociedad game

Xinhua, May 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona are considering resting Luis Suarez on Saturday in order to assure he is available for what could be the deciding match of the season.

Barca play Real Sociedad on Saturday evening knowing a win would assure they take at least a two point lead over Real Madrid to the Vicente Calderon for their game which (players strike permitting) is scheduled for the following week.

Coach Luis Enrique knows that if his side win all of their remaining matches this season they will be crowned BBVA Primera Liga champions but that any slip-up could open the door for Real Madrid.

Given that Atletico Madrid look to be their most difficult challenge this campaign, Barca need to assure they have their strongest side available. Suarez is currently one booking off suspension and should he pick up a yellow card on Saturday that would see him watch the following week's crunch game from the sidelines.

As a result Suarez could be rested with Xavi Hernandez or Pedro Rodriguez starting in his place.

Meanwhile Real Sociedad can count on central defender Mikel Gonzalez after the red card he was shown in Bilbao was rescinded by the Spanish Football Federation.

Barca showed on Wednesday in their 3-0 Champions League win at home to Bayern Munich they are in their best form of the season, although Luis Enrique may rest some players ahead of next week's return leg.

Real Sociedad meanwhile travel in decent form of their own following a draw in the Basque derby and a 3-0 win at home to Levante.

Should Barca win they would temporarily open a five-point lead over Real Madrid who would then be obliged to win at home to Valencia, who themselves are trying to finish third in the table.

Real Madrid know that as well as defeating Valencia on Saturday they also need to come back to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Juventus in their own Champions League semi-final return leg next week.

With Luka Modric still out with his knee injury, Carlo Ancelotti has few options to rotate his side in midfield, but will probably opt to return Sergio Ramos to defense and play Asier Illaramendi in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile Karim Benzema could also return to action after recovering from his own knee issues. Endi