By Paul Giblin
MADRID, April 22 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona can take another major step toward assuring this season's Liga Santander title if they win away to Alaves on Tuesday night.
A win would leave Barca just three points from mathematically clinching the title, although defeat for Atletico Madrid at home to Valencia on Wednesday would also make them champions ahead of Saturday's home game against Levante.
Barca coach Ernesto Valverde will once again look to rotate his squad to keep his players in the best possible shape for next week's Champions League semifinal first leg against Liverpool, and that could see players such as Jordi Alba given a rest.
The Spanish press is speculating that Valverde could return to the three man defense that he used against Huesca 10 days ago, when he rested nine regular starters.
It is doubtful he will go that far on Tuesday night, but a return to three central defenders would see another chance for either Jeison Murillo or Jean Clair Todibo with Malcom given the chance to play as left wing back.
Philippe Coutinho is also likely to be back in the side, while Arturo Vidal will also get a start to allow either Sergio Busquets or Ivan Rakitic to rest.
Alaves have slipped from battling for a place in the top-four, moving down to eighth in the table after a run of five games without a win which have seen the side coached by former Barca defender Abelardo Fernandez take just two points from a possible 15.
It could be that Alaves' players have run out of steam after a magnificent first half to the campaign and they will be without defender Guilermo Maripan and winger Takashi Inui on Tuesday.
Tuesday sees two more matches from Matchday 34 in the Liga Santander with two vital clashes in the struggle to avoid relegation.
Third from bottom Valladolid (who on Friday fought back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw away to Alaves) entertain Girona, who are now just two points above them after a run of five consecutive defeats.
Tuesday evening kicks off with bottom of the table Huesca at home to Eibar. Eibar need a win to assure their top-flight spot for next season, while Huesca need a miracle after their 0-0 draw away to Rayo on Saturday left them eight points from safety.
