Cordoba are far from scared of the Spanish leaders though. The home side go on the offensive, with Jose Angel Crespo (no relation to ex-Argentina striker Hernan) shooting straight at Barca keeper Claudio Bravo and Florin Andone unable to connect cleanly when well placed inside the away box.

Still the Barca half-chances are flowing - but Cordoba, who have conceded 53 goals this term, look reasonably solid. Barca right-back Dani Alves shoots over after a short corner from Ivan Rakitic.

I'm pleased to report Cordoba striker Florin Andone has popped another lense into his eye - will that improve his sight of the Barca goal? We will see. Anyway, back to the game, and it is the visitors who carve the next chance. Left-back Jordi Alba bursts forward to supply Lionel Messi. Short back lift, connects cleanly, Cordoba defender blocks again.

Cordoba striker Florin Andone is feeling about on the lush turf with his hands - it looks as though he has lost a contact lens! Nightmare. As someone who is also visually-impaired, I feel his pain. Nothing worse than scrambling about the bathroom floor on your hands and knees looking for a tiny piece of plastic while squinting with one eye.

Yo: Real Madrid to win La Liga, Barca will lose points against Atletico Madrid!

Lionel Messi is wearing his dancing shoes today. The fleet-footed Argentine tries to jink into space inside the Cordoba box, after being picked out by Ivan Rakitic, before deciding to pull the trigger. However, a home defender throws his body in the way and Cordoba survive.

A decent start to the game from leaders Barca, despite that slight glimpse of the goal they allowed to Cordoba (although it was an illegal sight). The Blaugrana, as we have come to expect over the years, are dominating possession and territory.

Hang on! We might be talking down Cordoba too soon. The home side, who are bottom of La Liga and will be relegated if they lose, find an opening in the Barca box. Romanian forward Florin Andone escapes the clutches of Barca centre-backs Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano, only to head over the crossbar. Oh, and he was offside anyway.

Is anyone backing a home win here? The statistics are not in Cordoba's favour....

Image source, BBC Sport

Barely three minutes have ticked by on the clock before Barca create their first chance. Marauding right-back Dani Alves picks out his fellow Brazilian Neymar, who cannot keep his close-range volley down. Big miss!

Cordoba: Juan Carlos, Jose Crespo, Edimar Fraga, Inigo Lopez, Deivid, Pantic, Luso, Krhin, Fidel, Bebe, Andone. Subs: Ekeng, Heldon, Cartabia, Mikel Saizar, Gunino, Abel Gomez, Fede Vico.

Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi, Neymar. Subs: Ter Stegen, Xavi, Pedro, Rafinha, Bartra, Adriano, Mathieu.

Bottom v top is under way in the Andalucian sunshine. Barca can't slip up here, can they?

A loud fanfare blasts out of the PA system at El Arcangel as the supporters climb to their feet to applaud. Both teams are strolling out of the tunnel. Almost show-time...

Spanish La Liga

Real Madrid's remaining Liga fixtures:

2 May: Sevilla (A)

9 May: Valencia (H)

16 May: Espanyol (A)

23 May: Getafe (H)

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona's remaining Liga fixtures:

2 May: Cordoba (A)

9 May: Real Sociedad (H)

16 May: Atletico Madrid (A)

23 May: Deportivo (H)

The life of a BBC Sport text commentator isn't always all it is cracked up to be. Especially when you don't brighten up our shift with some words of wisdom.

So, come on, don't be shy. How do you see the Spanish title race panning out? Where will Barca and Madrid drop points in the next few weeks? Who deserves the crown and, most importantly, why?

Tweet using #bbceurofooty or text 81111. Go, go, go!

With the Champions League semi-final against German champions Bayern Munich on the horizon, could Barca rest any of their talented triumvirate for the trip to rock-bottom Cordoba? Nope.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all start. I'd imagine there are a few pairs of sweaty palms in the home dressing room right now.

Barcelona XI: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi, Neymar.

Image source, @sidlowe/Twitter

Sid Lowe, the Guardian's Spanish football writer: Andalucian double header. Act One, Cordoba-Barcelona....