Barcelona welcomed struggling Almeria to the Camp Nou on Wednesday looking to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a curling effort from Lionel Messi.
Almeria threatened in the early stages of the second period, but they fell 2-0 behind after 55 minutes when Luis Suarez found the top corner, before Marc Bartra and Suarez scored late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Almeria. Victory for the home side here would stretch their lead at the summit to seven points and they will certainly enter as the strong favourites against a struggling Almeria team. Is a shock on the cards?
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Barcelona.
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano; Roberto, Xavi, Rakitic; Pedro, Suarez, Messi
ALMERIA: Julian; Casado, Trujillo, Ximo, Marin; Espinosa, Thomas; Edgar, Corona, Silva; Thievy
So there we have it. Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has rung the changes this evening, with Marc Bartra, Javier Mascherano, Sergi Roberto, Xavi, Ivan Rakitic and Pedro all coming into the XI. Jeremy Mathieu, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, Rafinha and Neymar all drop to the bench, but Sergio Busquets misses out altogether through suspension. Lionel Messi starts despite a troublesome foot injury.
Almeria, meanwhile, have Verza and Sebastian Dubarbier both suspended this evening, while Brazilian defender Michel misses out through injury. There is a start at left-back for 18-year-old Spaniard Antonio Marin, who will make his senior debut this evening. In total, there are four loan players in the Almeria XI at the Camp Nou, with Thomas Partey and Javier Espinosa both selected.
Barcelona have won all five league meetings with Almeria at the Camp Nou – scoring 15 times in the process and conceding just twice. Indeed, Almeria have never beaten Barca in a competitive match – losing 11 times and drawing twice across two separate competitions. Earlier in this campaign, Barca won 2-1 at Almeria, while they were 4-1 winners in the corresponding game last season.
Incredibly, Barcelona have won 19 of their last 20 games in all competitions. That run of form has seen them advance into the final of the Copa del Rey, the quarter-finals of the Champions League and usurp Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. As it stands, they top the table by four points following a narrow 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo at the weekend. It was a bitty game, but Barca picked up all the points.
It is now five straight league wins for the Catalan outfit, but they have already been beaten twice at the Camp Nou this season, with Celta Vigo and Malaga proving that shocks can happen. Overall, however, it has been a strong campaign for Luis Enrique's side – winning 23 of their 29 league games, scoring 81 times in the process and conceding just 17 times. It is a tough ask for Almeria.
Almeria, meanwhile, are now under new management following their 4-1 defeat to Levante at the weekend. That thumping loss in front of their own supporters led to the sacking of Juan Ignacio Martinez. Former Barcelona youth-team coach and indeed player Sergi Barjuan has been appointed as the club's new manager and he takes charge against his former club this evening.
As it stands, Almeria sit 18th in the table on 25 points, but they are just one point behind 17th-place Deportivo La Coruna. Almeria's home form this season has been the worst in the league – picking up just one victory. However, they have recorded five wins on their travels, which is more than European-chasing Villarreal. That said, they are currently on a seven-game winless run.
PREDICTION! To be blunt, I am struggling to see anything other than a comfortable home win. Barcelona are not at full-strength, but there is still so much quality in the XI. Almeria have struggled for performances and indeed results in recent weeks and I expect that to continue. Prediction: 3-0 Barcelona.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Almeria cause one of the shocks of the season here? The away side get the first 45 minutes underway in Barcelona.
It is a beautiful evening in Barcelona, around 11 degrees. Everything is set for an entertaining game of football and as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the early minutes.
Plenty of possession for Barcelona in the opening four minutes, but Almeria have a decent shape about them at the moment and thus far have remained strong. There was a nervous moment when Pedro broke into the Almeria box, but Casado was on hand to make a fine sliding challenge.
Half-chance for the home side as Pedro finds space down the left before flashing a cross towards Suarez, but Almeria manage to clear the danger. It is all one-way traffic at the Camp Nou here.
Six minutes on the clock and Almeria just cannot get out of their own half here.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Suarez meets a corner from Xavi, but his header was always rising over the crossbar. Decent effort from the striker, who has been very lively in the opening seven minutes.
Plenty of possession for the home side, but Almeria remain strong at the back as they continue to clear everything that comes into their box. It is a case of 'so far, so good' for the visitors here.
It is almost like a training exercise at the moment - a simple attack versus defence. Messi looks to curl a pass into Adriano, but the pass is just too strong. Almeria have had the chance to break on a couple of occasions, but have been unable to move past the half-way line. Still goalless.
CHANCE! First real chance for the home side as Alves cuts a cross back to Messi, who angles his header towards goal, but Julian is on hand to make the save. The pressure is growing!
Suarez breaks through on the Almeria goal after collecting a super pass from Xavi, but his effort is blocked by a combination of two Almeria defenders. Still no breakthrough for the hosts tonight.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Thievy shows excellent feet inside the box before setting up Silva, but his low strike is deflected wide of the post by Pedro.
Almeria have just started to show some attacking intent at the Camp Nou, while they are still frustrating the home side down the other end. It has been a good 17 minutes for the visitors here.
CLOSE! Another opportunity for the home side as Messi sets up Pedro with an excellent cross, but his volley flashes across the face of goal. Suarez just could not stretch to make contact.
It just isn't quite happening for the home side in the final third as Alves fails to control a long pass from Mascherano. Almeria will be very, very pleased with the opening 21 minutes to this match.
Almeria survive another passing sequence from Barcelona as Adriano brings Thievy to the ground outside the home side's penalty area. Thievy has been very bright for Almeria thus far tonight.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side as Messi plays in Suarez, who rolls a low cross towards Pedro, but Marin just manages to clear. Any touch would have taken that into the net!
Messi wants a penalty as the Argentine goes down inside the box under a challenge from Silva, but the referee is not interested. It was a very good challenge from Silva. It hasn't quite happened for Messi or indeed Barcelona thus far. The visitors are really frustrating the Catalan outfit thus far.
There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, which is not too much of a surprise. That can often be the case with mid-week games and it isn't a great game at the moment.
I still fancy Barcelona to win this game, but Almeria are really comfortable at the moment. It has been a strong defensive performance from the strugglers, who have been very disciplined here.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side as Pedro sets up Xavi inside the box, but the Spaniard's volley was straight into the arms of Julian. Can Barca score before the break here?
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Almeria (Messi)
It just had to be Messi didn't it? It is a quite wonderful goal from the Argentine, who steps inside two defenders before curling one into the far corner. Super, super effort from the genius there.
You just get the feeling that Almeria need to keep things tight in the remaining minutes of the first period. A second goal conceded at this stage could open up the floodgates at the Camp Nou.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid are in action later this evening, with Carlo Ancelotti's side making the trip to Rayo Vallecano. As it stands, Barca are seven points clear of Real at the summit.
Half-chance for Almeria this time as Silva delivers a dangerous cross towards Espinosa, but the midfielder cannot make proper contact and it is a fairly routine save in the end for Bravo.
Possession football from the home side as we approach the final minutes of the first period. Adriano and Alves continue to deliver from wide areas, but the overall quality has been poor thus far.
Pedro has the chance to break through on goal following another super pass from Xavi, but Navarro just manages to make the challenge, before Mendez fires wide of the post down the other end.
BOOKING! Mascherano (Barca) is booked for bringing Thievy to the ground.
Almeria have a free kick in a decent position here...
... Corona delivers the set piece towards Thievy, but Bartra is on hand to clear the danger.
Almeria have another half-chance as Navarro meets a corner from Corona, but his header was always straight into the arms of Bravo. That should be just about that for the first period here.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Almeria
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of a curling effort from Messi. The hosts have been disappointing for long spells, while Almeria have had bits and pieces in the final third. This one is far from over - be sure to remain with us here.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 68%, while they have had eight attempts - three of which have been on target. Almeria, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. There has been just the one booking, with Mascherano carded for a foul on Thievy.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have an embarrassment of riches on their bench this evening, with the likes of Iniesta, Neymar, Pique and Rafinha all in reserve for Luis Enrique. Almeria, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Azeez, Tomer Hemed, Fernando Soriano and Jonathan Zongo.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Almeria find a route back into this game at the Camp Nou? The home side get the second half underway here.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 or 20 minutes in Barcelona.
Thievy does well to bundle Bartra off the ball inside the Barcelona half, but the striker moves too wide and the home side manage to clear the danger. End-to-end start to this second period.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Suarez makes contact with a corner from Messi, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post. Xavi takes the corner from the opposite side, but Navarro clears.
SAVE! Adriano strikes one from just outside the Almeria box, but Julian makes the save.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Alves delivers a super cross towards Pedro, but the attacker cannot make contact ahead of Julian, who actually missed the ball! Still 1-0 here.
Half-chance for Almeria this time as Silva cuts inside before finding Mendez, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. It has been a very open start to this second period here.
Rakitic turns excellently inside the Almeria box following a super pass from Messi, but Navarro is on hand to make the challenge as the score remains at 1-0. There is a sense of frustration in the crowd at the moment, which is not that surprising. Barca have not been too good at the Camp Nou here.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Almeria (Suarez)
Barcelona have their second of the match as Suarez drives into the Almeria box before placing one into the far corner. Julian got a touch on the curling effort, but could not keep it out.
SUB! Almeria make their first change as Soriano replaces Silva.
You have to feel that this game is over with little over 30 minutes remaining. Almeria have been impressive this evening, but it is difficult to imagine them getting back into the game here.
Half-chance for the home side as Rakitic strikes one from outside the box, but Julian is down well to make the save. Barcelona are just playing with a bit more freedom at the moment here.
Almeria are still carrying a threat in the final third here and it would be very interesting if they could find a route back into the match. Barca are also looking good for another goal, however, as Messi combines with Suarez in the final third. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in this one.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Montoya replaces Alves.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side are in control of proceedings here. Just a reminder that they are heading seven points clear at the top.
Thievy has been very dangerous for the home side this evening and the Barca back four will not be disappointed to see the back of him. Mascherano is having a tough time against the forward.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Rafinha replaces Rakitic.
Half-chance for the home side as Pedro delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Thomas is on hand to clear under pressure from Suarez. Moments later, Rafinha tries an over-head kick, but it is a comfortable save for Julian. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Barcelona.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Montoya searches out Pedro inside the Almeria box, but the Spaniard's low effort is comfortably saved by the Almeria stopper.
SUB! Almeria make their second change as Zongo replaces Mendez.
Just a reminder that straight after this game, we will have live coverage of Real Madrid's trip to Rayo Vallecano - be sure to remain with me for that one! Still 2-0 Barcelona with 75 minutes played.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Almeria (Bartra)
Barcelona score their third of the match as Bartra heads a swinging Xavi corner into the back of the net. Smart finish from the centre-back, who has been nice and solid at the back tonight.
Almeria have played quite well this evening, but they trail 3-0 with still more than 10 minutes of football remaining. That is the difference between the best teams in Spain and the strugglers.
Possession football from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes as they continue to pass and probe in the Almeria half. The visitors are preparing to make their third and final change of the night.
SUB! Mane enters for Almeria in place of Espinosa.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Messi converts from inside the box, but the flag is raised!
Half-chance for Almeria as Soriano meets a cross from the left, but his header was always straight into the arms of Bravo, who has not had much to do in the second period thus far.
Barcelona have the chance to threaten from a set piece outside the Almeria box, but Messi's effort is straight into the wall. Not too much happening at the moment as we approach the final minutes.
Barcelona gain another free kick in a forward position and Messi's effort takes a deflection, but lands straight into the arms of the Almeria goalkeeper. That could have gone absolutely anywhere!
BOOKING! Casado (Almeria) is booked for fouling Messi JUST outside the box.
SAVE! Messi curls the resulting free kick towards the far corner, but Julian makes the save.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Thomas hammers the ball into the top corner with a wonderful over-head kick, but the flag is raised for offside. So unlucky - what a hit that was!
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Almeria (Suarez)
Barcelona have their fourth of the match as Pedro beats the offside trap before setting up Suarez, who has the simple task of converting from close range. A touch harsh on Almeria!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 4-0 Almeria
So there we have it. Barcelona move seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a 4-0 win over Almeria, who remain in the bottom three. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
