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Barcelona are starting to run away at the top of the La Liga table, with a six-point lead on second place that they'll be looking to expand on this weekend. With a visit to the Canary Islands to face relegation-threatened Las Palmas in order, it's likely that they'll manage that, provided some helpful results elsewhere in Spain.
Las Palmas will certainly be hoping that they can find a way to shock Barcelona and steal a point or even a win from this match, but that seems unlikely at best. Still a team largely filled with Segunda Division talent, they just don't have a realistic chance of coping with the Barcelona onslaught. Heck, Luis Suarez on his own has outscored the entire Las Palmas team. Sure, they've earned a few upsets this season, but they're in 18th place for a reason, and Barcelona are in ridiculous form. Las Palmas will fight hard, but sometimes that just isn't enough. This looks like one of those times.
Key player -- Arda Turan (Barcelona)
The Turkish international has been invaluable for Barcelona since they were finally able to register him in January, and his ability to drive play right at a defense all day long will be Barcelona's key weapon in this game. He'll be able to run Las Palmas' defense ragged in a hurry, leaving them wide open to get carved up by the rest of Barcelona's attack. Turan may not score himself, but make no mistake -- his efforts will allow the rest of his team to play better.
Key matchup -- Sergio Araujo (Las Palmas) vs. Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)
Whether Mascherano stays on the back line or steps into midfield in place of the suspended Sergio Busquets, he and Araujo will be facing off quite a bit. Araujo likes to drop a bit deeper off the front line and make darting runs into the box, or stay out there and look to play in his forward partner or Las Palmas' wingers. Mascherano's mobility and quality will make him key to keeping Araujo in check, and if he gets the job done Las Palmas' attack will be seriously hamstrung.
Las Palmas injuries and suspensions
Out: Mubarak Wakaso, Hernan, David Simon, Daniel Castellano, Angel Montoro, Jose Vicente Gomez, Javi Castellano In doubt: Jonathan Viera
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Sergio Busquets, Rafinha
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. - English), beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Canal+ Liga/HD (Spain)
Online: beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV (U.S.)