Barcelona head into Saturday’s fixture against Leganes with history beckoning, as they could draw level with Real Sociedad’s 1980 record of 38 straight unbeaten La Liga games.

That, of course, also means that they are getting closer and closer to achieving a full unbeaten season, something that’s never been done over a 38-game top-flight campaign in Spain.

Here are three talking points ahead of Saturday’s game.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ON BARCA’S MIND?

With a three-goal lead heading into the away leg of their quarter-final against Roma, Barcelona are overwhelming favourites to go through. But does that mean Ernesto Valverde won’t feel the need to rest any of his key players?

He has to achieve a delicate balance. A home game against La Liga’s 13th-placed side closely followed by an away game in the trophy Barcelona really want to win – albeit one in which they are more or less guaranteed of getting into the semi-finals.

But Valverde won’t take Roma lightly. Their 3-0 home win over Chelsea in the group stages shows they are capable of shocking under-prepared or complacent opposition. So expect Barca’s selection to reflect their priorities. Andres Iniesta will probably be rested, and Lionel Messi is a prime candidate to start from the bench as well. And if things do start going pear-shaped – well, you can always rely on that little maestro to save the day.

‘FREE HIT’ FOR LEGANES

Leganes are 15 points above the relegation zone and 10 points away from a European spot, so they have little left to play for this season. They also have a pitiful away record, winless in 11 straight La Liga games on their travels. All signs point to a routine Barcelona win.

But equally, there’s no pressure of expectation, and they have nothing to lose, so why not go for it? That may well be manager Asier Garitano’s thoughts leading up to Saturday’s fixture. This sets up a classic ‘free hit’ game; Leganés have the licence to play with no fear, and the only lasting impact any result can have will be the enhanced reputation if they pull off a win.

With Barcelona’s minds potentially elsewhere given their European campaign, the visitors have the opportunity to take advantage of a distracted, perhaps complacent side and cause a scare. Plus, a Madrid side, but one of the less-fancied ones, playing in the heart of Catalunya in the current climate? That’s surely enough motivation.

DEMBELE’S CHANCE TO SHINE

Ousmane Dembele is likely to be one of the players who benefits from Valverde’s rotation, and given his good recent form he should be looking to leave his stamp on this game.

Leganes have a solid defence, with only Atletico Madrid and Barca themselves having kept more clean sheets than the less heralded side’s 12 this season. That’s the challenge in front of Dembele, who didn’t make it off the bench during the win over Roma.

That must have stung. If he’s going to force his way into Valverde’s plans for the remaining big games this season, a good performance against Leganes would be the best way to start.

Barca players were visibly frustrated with the young signing last week against Sevilla, as well, although he was far from the only player who underperformed as the Blaugrana scraped a draw.

But that should serve as further motivation for Dembele in a fixture where he’s likely to be one of the biggest star names to start in Barcelona colours.