Lionel Messi takes a few steps back, sets his sights, but his curler is parried over by a busy Julian Cuesta. What a player Leo is.

Can Almeria get a consolation? They have valiantly kept plugging away but goalkeeper Claudio Bravo hasn't been tested.

A tight call for the referee as Lionel Messi skips past Jose Manuel Casado. The Almeria defender trips him on the edge of the penalty area but a free-kick is given, not a penalty. It is probably the right call.

Real Madrid would not have expected anything else but a Barca win this evening. They have a tougher task at Rayo Vallecano later. For the moment, the hosts will move seven points clear.

It is almost four as Lionel Messi's 25-yard free-kick takes a wicked deflection off the wall but bounces into Julian Cuesta's hands.

Marc Bartra's header is Barcelona's 84th league goal in 30 games this season. They are almost averaging three goals a game. Incredible stuff.

Lionel Messi isn't happy as his strike is disallowed for a foul. It seems very soft as an Almeria defender goes down very easily before Messi slots under goalkeeper Julian Cuesta.

Image source, Reuters

You can't help feeling a bit for Almeria. They are getting torn apart by a Barcelona side in fifth gear.

Image source, AFP

What did I say? That was so, so simple. Xavi swings the corner in from the right and an unmarked Marc Bartra attacks the ball to head home from close range. Easy.

Both teams look as though they want the final whistle to go. Barca have the game won and this is now a training session.

The hosts still look as though they have another goal in them though...

Don't forget Real Madrid's trip to Rayo Vallecano follows straight after this and here is the European champions' team. Gareth Bale starts.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Image source, EPA

In your dreams Luis. Suarez attempts an overhead kick from Lionel Messi's cross and it dribbles wide for a goal kick. Almeria look resigned to defeat here.

There is no let up for Almeria as Brazilian midfielder Rafinha replaces Ivan Rakitic.

dennis waithera:, external One of the Easiest jobs in the world is Playing for Barcelona And Real Madrid.

I reckon I would have a chance in this midfield...

Pass, pass, pass, pass. Barcelona are enjoying themselves. They don't look too bothered about going for the jugular though.

Here come the changes as Dani Alves is replaced by Martin Montoya at right-back. Barca have bigger tests ahead - and doesn't Luis Enrique know it...

Exquisite stuff from Lionel Messi again as he beats three or four Almeria defenders around the edge of the penalty area before dinking a lovely pass out to the unmarked Luis Suarez. The striker can't match Leo's brilliance though as he crosses to no one.

Barcelona will expect to score more goals now. The game is surely won, but how many can they get?

Ivan Rakitic strikes a volley sweetly on the edge of the penalty area but goalkeeper Julian Cuesta holds on low to his left.

Image source, Reuters

No is the answer. Luis Enrique punches the air as Luis Suarez finally finds the target - and how.

The Uruguayan picks the ball up on the right, brings the ball inside and his left, and rifles the ball into the top corner. A fantastic finish.

Sergi will be delighted with his Almeria side. They are fighting for every ball and are actually looking fairly solid. Can they keep it up?

Image source, AFP

Pedro is sent sprawling by Almeria goalkeeper Julian Cuesta but the Barcelona man only has himself to blame. The ball is whipped in from the right by Lionel Messi but Pedro isn't brave enough, pulls out, and Cuesta flattens him.

At the other end, Wellington Silva fires well over.

Luis Suarez almost gets on the end of Xavi's corner as well but Almeria touch the ball away for another corner.

The pressure is eased as Adriano curls straight at goalkeeper Julian Cuesta from 20 yards in the next attack.