Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says Sunday's visit to Sevilla will be key in his side's challenge for the Liga title.
Martino's side have won just once in their last four league matches,
and suffered defeat for only the second time this season in going down
3-2 at home to Valencia last time out.
They sit in second place in the table, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, and travel to UEFA Europa League challengers Sevilla - who have taken just two points from their previous four league matches - on Sunday.
But despite their opponents' poor form, Martino warned his team that they face a stiff test as they look to return to winning ways.
"I have said to the players that it will probably be one of the hardest away games we have left," the Argentinian said.
"Sevilla are a very intense team, they work very hard and are strong at home.
"We struggled to beat them at home in the first half of the season. It is a key game, which will have significant positive or negative impact on what happens in the future."
Title rivals Atletico and Real Madrid will have both already played this weekend by the time Barca take to the field on Sunday - but Martino played down that issue, insisting that the dangers posed by Sevilla were more of a concern.
"I think what makes a difference is the opponent we have in front of us," he added.
"The form we are in isn't so important. There have been a variety of circumstances that have caused us to lose points.
"Playing before or after is never an issue for us."
They sit in second place in the table, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, and travel to UEFA Europa League challengers Sevilla - who have taken just two points from their previous four league matches - on Sunday.
But despite their opponents' poor form, Martino warned his team that they face a stiff test as they look to return to winning ways.
"I have said to the players that it will probably be one of the hardest away games we have left," the Argentinian said.
"Sevilla are a very intense team, they work very hard and are strong at home.
"We struggled to beat them at home in the first half of the season. It is a key game, which will have significant positive or negative impact on what happens in the future."
Title rivals Atletico and Real Madrid will have both already played this weekend by the time Barca take to the field on Sunday - but Martino played down that issue, insisting that the dangers posed by Sevilla were more of a concern.
"I think what makes a difference is the opponent we have in front of us," he added.
"The form we are in isn't so important. There have been a variety of circumstances that have caused us to lose points.
"Playing before or after is never an issue for us."
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