Barcelona are hoping to end their run of draws by beating Real Sociedad at home on Saturday.
The world champions have drawn their last three games, against Valencia and Real Madrid in the cup plus Villarreal in La Liga.
While Pep Guardiola’s team are on course to reach the cup final after Wednesday’s 1-1 semi-final first leg draw in Valencia, they are seven points behind Real Madrid in La Liga – and looking alarmingly tired both physically and mentally.
“Our schedule has been very demanding recently,” said defender Gerard Pique. “But we are used to this kind of a calendar, and we know how to handle it.”
Pique said he was “not worried at all” by the fact that Barca had not won for three games.
A major factor in Barca’s recent loss of form has been a seemingly endless series of injuries.
On Sunday, they will be without David Villa, Ibrahim Affelay, Andreu Fontas, Andres Iniesta and Pedro. In addition, veteran Seydou Keita is playing for Mali at the African Nations Cup.
Sociedad, who are 12th, also have an injury crisis, having to do without Imanol Agirretxe, Joseba Llorente, Gorka Elustondo, David Zurutuza, Vadim Demidov, Alberto de la Bella and Xabi Prieto.
Nonetheless, veteran captain Mikel Aranburu said: We know it will not be easy, but we are really going to try to win in the Camp Nou.”
By the time that Barca kick off, they could be 10 points behind Real, who are away to local rivals Getafe earlier on Saturday.
Real coach Jose Mourinho will probably keep Angel Di Maria on the bench and stick by the Mesut Oezil-Kaka midfield partnership that has done so well recently. Xabi Alonso, Marcelo and Angel di Maria should all be fit for the game.
Also on Saturday, Athletic Bilbao will receive Espanyol, Mallorca take on Real Betis and Levante face Racing Santander.
The big game on Sunday will bring together revitalised Atletico Madrid and third-placed Valencia. Atletico have picked up 10 points from four games under new coach Diego Simeone.
Sundays other games are Zaragoza v Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla v Villarreal and Sporting Gijon v Osasuna. The 21st round of games will finish on Monday with lowly Granada at home to Malaga.