Buenos Aires: The intimidating roar of San Mames awaits Barcelona in La Liga as Pep Guardiola's side start a critical week of action with a testing trip to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday (2100 GMT).
The league leaders are just a point ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid, who host struggling Racing Santander, and the build up to next weekend's 'clasico' at the Nou Camp has already begun.
To complicate matters, preparation time is short after the break for internationals and Barca also have to host Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday in a game where defeat could end the defence of their European crown.
"It's vital to win in San Mames to give us confidence," Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes told a news conference.
"It's always important to hang on to the top spot, not only because the following week we play Real, but because San Mames has always been a tough place for us to visit."
Guardiola will be without the injured Eric Abidal and also have a doubt over Carles Puyol, who picked up a knock while on duty with Spain.
Bilbao, eighth, were hammered 4-1 by Barca in the King's Cup final last May, but the 'Lions' always provide opponents with a tough challenge built around the powerful figure of striker Fernando Llorente.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 19:11