Perhaps Barcelona's best chance. Sergi Roberto bursts in down the right on to Sergio Busquets' pass, and tries to drive it across for Luis Suarez, but goalkeeper German Lux is well positioned to block the cross-shot.

Deportivo forward Joselu is then booked for clattering Javier Mascherano, who is quickly back on his feet.

Barcelona have had 68% of the possession so far. It's going to be some effort for Deportivo to keep this going.

John McEnerney:  From here on in, Barcelona will be relentless - the treble is still on, they've had their hiccup. Andres Iniesta back to his best which is key for Barca.

A string of Barcelona passes ends with Arda Turan crossing from the left, looking for the head of Luis Suarez. Instead, he finds only Raul Albentosa, the former Derby defender in Deportivo's back line. The final ball isn't quite there yet.

Image source, AP

Starting to create chances now, Barcelona. Andre Gomes, cutting in from the left, checks back and leaves a home defender on the seat of his pants. But rather than crossing for Luis Suarez in the centre, Gomes tries to curl one into the far corner from an impossible angle. It would have been a superb goal had it come off; instead, it looks nothing but a waste of a very good opening.

The rain is now falling so heavily that Lionel Messi's beard has doubled in weight.

Deportivo, perhaps blinded by the storm, switch off at a Messi free-kick, and Luis Suarez has a free header just eight yards out. But he directs it straight at goalkeeper German Lux who, despite his name, is neither German or Luxembourgian, but is from Argentina.

Luis Suarez seeks a path through the banked Deportivo defence after receiving the ball with his back to goal. There is no way through.

At the other end, Faycal Fajr plays a terrific outswinging cross from the right, and Javier Mascherano has to stretch to hook clear as Joselu lurks. Fine defending.

Umbrellas are out at Estadio Riazor. It's chucking it down like it's spring in Manchester.

Of course, if I worked in local commercial radio, I would follow up such a prediction with the promise of some hilarious forfeit if I was proved wrong, like the DJ at Rock FM in Preston who promised to bare his backside in a shop window if Mr Blobby got the 1993 Christmas number one. (Which he did.)

But I'm not really into such bantz, so I'll pass, if you don't mind.

I'm going to make a prediction at this point, and you can hold me to it, if you like. There is no way this game will end 8-0.

Image source, Reuters

More patient Barca build-up. The odd ball punched forward to Luis Suarez. The odd probe by Sergi Roberto down the right. Raul Albentosa and Alejandro Arribas, so far, are holding firm.

Image source, Reuters

Postpublished at 13 mins

13 mins

Deportivo 0-0 Barcelona

I did describe Fernando Navarro as no-nonsense, and he is perhaps still smarting from that foul on him by Denis Suarez a few moments ago. The Deportivo defender hacks the Barcelona man to the ground, and gets the game's first yellow card. I felt that challenge from here.

Deportivo make a burst forward and Joselu hits a first-time effort through the legs of Gerard Pique, and straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Then Barcelona surge to the other end, and Sergi Roberto drives in a cross that is blocked.

By this stage on Wednesday, Barcelona had already scored. Nowhere near as much urgency so far. Still plenty of time.

Fernando Navarro, the no-nonsense Deportivo full-back, is clipped by Denis Suarez. An untidy challenge results in a free-kick which is floated in, but Gerard Pique climbs high to head clear.

Luis Suarez scored four in that 8-0 Barcelona win last April. He plays Sergi Roberto down the right early on, but the cross is blocked. Suarez trails Lionel Messi by three goals in the race for the Pichichi this season; the Argentina international leads the way with 23 La Liga strikes.

Image source, Getty Images

Barca passing the ball around at the back in the early stages. Unlike in midweek, they don't need to score six today. Doesn't mean they won't, though.

Barcelona won this fixture 8-0 last season, by the way.

Four changes for Deportivo; top scorer Florin Andone is suspended, so Stoke loanee Joselu starts up front. Alex Bergantinos comes into midfield for Pedro Mosquera, who is also banned. Raul Albentosa is formerly of Derby County, Carles Gil is on loan from Aston Villa. There's a rumour that Juanfran has been on Watford's books at some point, but I've yet to see evidence.

Deportivo: Lux; Juanfran, Albentosa, Arribas, Navarro; Bergantinos, Borges; Gama, Fajr, Gil; Joselu.

Substitutes: Tyton, Moreno, Luisinho, Laure, Kakuta, Colak, John.

Pepe Mel, who had a brief and unhappy spell as West Brom head coach three years ago, has been charged with keeping Deportivo out of relegation trouble. Since been appointed to replace the sacked Gaizka Garitano late last month, Mel is undefeated: Played three, won one, drawn two.

There is a theory circulating around the interweb that Neymar has been given the weekend off to celebrate his sister's birthday - which was yesterday. The club have not confirmed this, and if there was a party, I wasn't invited, so I shall make no further comment. But if you're reading this, Rafaella: Happy Birthday.