The reigning Spanish champions have not always looked convincing in their quest for a third successive crown but are still unbeaten at home in the league this season while Deportivo have only won two of their away games.

Nevertheless, hardly a day goes by without Barca coach Frank Rijkaard having to respond to speculation of dressing room disharmony.

This week has been no different with rumours that Ronaldinho will leave in the summer, perhaps for AC Milan, circulating in the Catalan capital and beyond while the player has been on international duty with Brazil.

"I desire with all my heart that Ronaldinho continues here and he's always told me that he's happy here," said Rijkaard.

"Ronnie is a player who has allowed people at this club to dream, and our supporters as well. I also think he knows how much he's appreciated.

"But, like all the players, he's got a contract (until 2010) to comply with," added Rijkaard, reminding the former World Player of the Year as well as his agent and brother Roberto de Assis of the situation.

Ronaldinho earlier on Thursday had sought to smooth things out but only succeeded in adding to the doubts about his future.

"I only think about playing, the rest I leave to my brother. The only thing I'm worried about is the rest of this season," said Ronaldinho, although his words were rather less than a whole-hearted statement of commitment to the club.

The distraction over the future of Ronaldinho is hardly what Rijkaard wants as he takes stock of the bumps and bruises acquired by his men while playing for their countries in the last week.

One man definitely missing against Deportivo is the Barca's suspended Portuguese winger Deco.

Barcelona lead Sevilla on goal difference with both clubs having 53 points from 27 games.

Sevilla have a tricky trip north to Osasuna on Sunday with the Pamplona-based club an always intimidating opponent in their own Reyno de Navarra stadium.

"We know we are going to be treated with hostility there. I'd just like to remind their supporters that it's a football match not a war," said Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta.

The 2006 UEFA Cup winners could be without their dynamic Brazilian international right back Daniel Alves, after he twisted his right ankle playing in the 1-0 win over Ghana on Tuesday.

Real Madrid are a distant third, five points adrift of the leading pair, but hope to keep up the pressure with a victory at struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Celta are only one place and one point above the relegation zone although they inflicted a humiliating 2-1 defeat on Real in their Santiago Bernabeu stadium back in November.

"I don't know which Real Madrid will be coming here and which one will be playing," said Celta coach Fernando Vazquez, expressing the same thoughts that have frequently crossed the minds of many Real supporters this season.

"This is a team which recently has kept changing. I don't know whether they will be like in the Nou Camp (the 3-3 draw with Barcelona earlier this month) or like the one we saw in the Bernabeu," added Vazquez.

Real have World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro suspended and David Beckham is not yet match-fit despite returning to training this week after straining knee ligaments four weeks ago.

Jose Antonio Reyes, who suffered a similar injury to Beckham in the same match against Getafe on March 4, has made better progress than the former England captain and could play against Celta.