Madrid, Feb 20: Barcelona can move to the top of La Liga for the first time since early November when they look to stretch their winning run to 12 games against Malaga on Saturday.
The Catalans have struck 42 goals in that hot streak to close to within a point of Real Madrid and to the brink of reaching the Copa del Rey final.
However, Luis Enrique's men will be intent on not only taking top spot for at least 24 hours before Madrid travel to Elche on Sunday, but also ensuring they suffer no injury setbacks ahead of their return to Champions League action away to Manchester City on Tuesday.
"We know there is a lot of work ahead of us until the end of the season and is it a key moment for us. We need to be at 100 percent," Barca full-back Adriano said on Thursday.
Barca dismissed City 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage of the competition last year and Adriano warned that will act as motivation for the English champions despite their indifferent form in the Premier League.
"We know we have drawn a very strong opponent that we could easily have faced in the semi-finals.
"They aren't in great form, but in a tie like this there aren't any favourites. It will be just as hard or even more difficult than last year because they will definitely want revenge."
Barca have no fresh injury worries with Andres Iniesta available once more after missing last weekend's 5-0 thrashing of Levante due to a fever.
However, Enrique is expected to make a raft of changes after handing a rest to the likes of Gerard Pique, Dani Alves and Luis Suarez last time out.     AFP