Iniesta confident Pep will stay

The Catalan boss has always maintained a policy of keeping his options open by signing short-term contracts, insisting he would leave when he felt his project had run its course.

He now finds himself facing the prospect of losing out on the Spanish league title to rival Real Madrid for the first time since taking over in 2009, leading to renewed speculation about his plans.

But Iniesta says the squad are confident the boss will not leave.

"We don't think that'll happen," he said

"The most difficult but also the nicest part of the season is now ahead of us. I hope the manager stays with us and we are fighting for everything."

Madrid appears to have the title all-but won, holding a 10-point lead, but Iniesta insists all is not lost just yet.

"They hold a considerable advantage, but our only thoughts are on getting points three by three. That will make us more competitive in the Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey.

"In the league, if Madrid drop any points, we have to be there just in case.

"We've dropped far too many points this season and that's reflected in the league table," said Iniesta.

Barca faces an extremely testing trip to Atletico Madrid on Sunday (Monday AEDT), when it will face a side in resurgent form since Diego Simeone's arrival as coach.

Earlier on Sunday, a few miles away, Real Madrid will be facing city neighbour Rayo Vallecano hoping to at least maintain its lead or even extend it, should Barca slip up.

They do so without two key weapons, however, with Angel Di Maria ruled out for a month with a muscular problem and striker Karim Benzema sidelined for two weeks.

Athletic Bilbao is the form team in the top flight after a run of form which has taken it to fourth and led to Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa to be linked with Andre Villas-Boas' job at Chelsea.

Such speculation is likely to be simply newspaper talk while the eccentric Bielsa insists it is too early to consider securing a Champions League place.

Ahead of Sunday's (Monday AEDT) trip to Villarreal, Bielsa said: "There are too many teams still in competition for (fourth) place.

"The team with a group of players who have lasting stability will have the best chance of achieving it. The qualities of the teams seem quite similar, and I have no clear idea who will extend a run to take the place."

Bielsa could rest Iker Muniain and Oscar De Marcos while handing Fernando Amorebieta a return at El Madrigal following last weekend's 3-0 win at home to Malaga.

A busy Saturday (Sunday AEDT) programme sees Racing Santander at home to Sporting Gijon, Real Betis entertain Getafe, Malaga at home to seemingly doomed Real Zaragoza, which sits rock bottom. Espanyol hosts Levante in Cornella El Prat.

Osasuna is at home to Granada at El Sadar on Sunday (Monday AEDT) while Real Sociedad hosts Mallorca and Valencia clashes with Sevilla.