Lionel Messi will need several breathers over the next three weeks [GALLO/GETTY]

The European champions have a strong record against their Basque opponents, winning the last five straight games which include the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup titles.

Pep Guardiola's side 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.

Confidence builder

"It's vital to win in San Mames to give us confidence," Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said.

"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.

"When you go out to play Barca you can't go start thinking that you'll draw,'' Llorente said.

"Yes, I think we are going to triumph and that it'll be difficult to achieve a result, but it's clear that if the game ends and we've managed a draw, that'll be a great point.''

Ronaldo should make a welcome return for Real in the Champions League [AFP]

Cristiano Ronaldo will likely be on the sidelines for one last Real Madrid match on Saturday when the team faces Racing Santander in the Spanish league.

The world's most expensive football player, who is nearing the end of a two-month recovery from an ankle injury, was given the all-clear by Madrid medical staff to return to full training on Friday, so the Portugal winger is unlikely to be available before Wednesday's Champions League match against FC Zurich.

Despite a bumbling debut that included a Copa del Rey exit to a third-tier club, Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has his team off to one of their best ever starts with only one loss from 10 games.

Part of that success has seen several Madrid regulars move down the pecking order.

Striker Raul Gonzalez has been used as a substitute, while midfielder Jose Maria "Guti'' Gutierrez has not played in four games since exchanging heated words with the Chilean coach.

"At this moment I'm only thinking about training and being able to play,'' Guti said.

Madrid defender Raul Albiol may not be at the Bernabeu after hurting his left knee in Spain's 5-1 win at Austria on Wednesday, while former coach Miguel Angel Portugal was rehired on Thursday to lead Santander after the club fired Juan Carlos Mandia following a seven-game winless streak.

Momentum

Sevilla and Valencia will hope the two-week international break has not sapped the momentum from impressive league victories.

Sevilla are at Tenerife while Valencia travel to Osasuna knowing only victories can maintain their hopes of staying with Barcelona and Madrid.

Sevilla have 22 points to trail Barcelona by four, Valencia have 21 points and Deportivo La Coruna have 19.

Striker Lautaro Acosta returns from injury for Sevilla, who could be without defender Julian Escude, who may have fractured his nose while playing for France.

Striker Frederic Kanoute believes this squad is better than the one which won the Copa del Rey and Uefa Cup two years ago.

"We nearly have two teams (in this squad) and this will help us down the stretch,'' the Mali striker said.

"We've got a team to fight for all competitions.''

Quique Sanchez Flores is unlikely to be on the sideline on Saturday when Atletico Madrid play at Deportivo because the coach is recovering from swine flu.

Atletico, who are lingering in the relegation zone, desperately need a victory and can expect striker Sergio Aguero to be in the line-up after recovering from a leg injury.