A first touch for Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as he smothers the ball before Edgar Mendez.

Wait a minute, Almeria have another attack and that is inches away from a shock opener.

Arsenal loanee Wellington drills a shot across goal and it is deflected just wide. Close.

Another attack, another chance. Dani Alves fires a cross from the right to the edge of the penalty area but Lionel Messi can only head straight at goalkeeper Julian Cuesta.

Seconds later Luis Suarez races through on goal but his shot is blocked.

Another sigh of relief from a very busy Almeria defence as Lionel Messi's diagonal pass just misses the speeding Pedro. This is like a training match.

Almeria are yet to launch an attack of their own but they won't be too unhappy with their start. They are still level.

Celta Vigo had Fabian Orellana sent off for throwing some grass at Barcelona's Sergio Busquets at the weekend. If you can think of any other bizarre reasons for being sent off let me know. Tweet #bbceurofooty,, external text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook.

Jason Tucker: I remember Ashley vickers playing for Dorchester got sent off for a neck high rugby tackle on someone that invaded the pitch.

Barcelona force a third corner of the match within the first five minutes but Luis Suarez heads wildly over.

Luis Suarez is inches away from getting on the end of Xavi's through ball but it bounces wickedly off the turf and goalkeeper Julian Cuesta is able to collect.

All one way as Pedro has a cross cleared for a corner. A matter of time before the opener?

There is an expectant buzz about the Nou Camp this evening. Barcelona are pinging the ball about early on. Surely they must increase the gap at the top to seven points?

Image source, AFP

So Barcelona are gunning for the treble and these are the sort of games they should win in their sleep. Almeria boss Sergi has every right to look a little nervous on the bench.

Game on.

Barcelona have won all five league meetings with Almeria at the Camp Nou, scoring 15 and conceding just two.

There is always a first time .....

Image source, AP

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says he is not worried about a lack of goals from striker Neymar - that hasn't stopped him from dropping the Brazilian to the bench though.

The Brazilian scored the most recent of his 17 league goals this season for the La Liga leaders in their 5-0 win over Levante on 15 February.

Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano, Sergi Roberto, Xavi, Rakitic, Pedro, Messi, Suarez.

Almeria: Julian; Casado, Trujillo, Ximo, A. Marin; Corona, Thomas, Wellington Silva, Edgar, Espinosa y Thievy.

Is there anyone better than Lionel Messi? QPR's Matt Phillips perhaps?

How's this for a stat? Only Lionel Messi (8) has assisted more goals than Matt Phillips (7) in the top five European leagues in 2015.

I'll bet Lionel Messi is smarting a little after Cristiano Ronaldo's five-goal haul on Sunday took him to the top of the charts.

Four goals the difference. He couldn't could he? Of course he could, this is Messi...

Barcelona didn't have things all their own way in Sunday's tense 1-0 win at Celta Vigo.

It took 73 minutes for the breakthrough - Jeremy Mathieu scoring the only goal with a back-post diving header from Xavi's free-kick.

Celta had Fabian Orellana sent off for throwing some grass at Sergio Busquets as he was getting ready to take a free-kick.

Surely there are better ways to earn a red than that? If you can think of any other bizarre reasons for being sent off let me know. Tweet #bbceurofooty,, external text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook.

Image source, Almeria

Sergi's appointment as Almeria boss this week has certainly added a bit of spice to what should be a comfortable Barcelona win.

The former Barcelona left back, who was in charge at Recreativo Huelva last season, is Almeria's third coach this term and has signed a contract until the end of the campaign.

He replaces Juan Ignacio Martinez, after sacked after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat by Levante left the Andalucian club in the drop zone.

Almeria need the points.

So what's what in La Liga?

Barcelona are leading the charge - four points ahead of Real - while defending champions Atletico are two points further back.

Surely a two-horse race?

Good evening and welcome to a Spanish double header.

Barcelona entertain relegation-threatened Almeria at an expectant Nou Camp, before the table toppers's closest challengers, and bitterest rivals, Real Madrid travel to Rayo Vallecano.

Wall-to-wall La Liga football for what could be another big night in deciding the destination of the title.

Real Madrid have hit form, beating Granada 9-1 on Saturday, but first it is all about Barcelona. Enjoy.

Remember when David Moyes' Real Sociead beat Barcelona in January?

Barcelona were in crisis, Luis Enrique was under pressure, Lionel Messi was misfiring - the knives were out for the Catalans.

What a response. Barca have won their last eight matches in all competitions and, going back even further, have enjoyed 19 wins in their last 20 matches.

Unstoppable? We will see.

Image source, Getty Images

He made more than 250 Barcelona appearances, won three La Liga titles and lifted the European Cup Winners Cup with the Catalan giants.

Tonight though, there will be no room for sentiment as Barca legend Sergi looks to put a dent in his former love's title charge.

Can anyone stop them?