Delightful stuff from Barcelona who are just popping the ball around nicely.

Valladolid are struggling to get out of their half at the minute. Their best best looks to be on the break but Oscar Plano low pass into the Barcelona area flicks off a defender into the path of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barca who look more like they are in a 3-5-2 are looking pretty assured in possession so far.

Lionel Messi had an early shot blocked and Riqui Puig has just fired a left-foot effort down the throat of home goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

Great work from Nelson Semedo down the right there. This could be a long night for the hosts.

Big fan of this Barcelona kit which is yellow with stripes running diagonally across.

But with the hosts in their normal white and purple stripes it does remind me (from a distance) of West Brom v Crystal Palace.

And away we go. Barcelona get us under way.

The teams are out...

Barcelona have looked particularly vulnerable on their travels this season.

All five of their defeats this term have come on the road but last Sunday's 4-1 win at Villarreal was more like the vintage Barca performances we have all become used to down the years.

Amazing what can be achieved when Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann all click, eh.

Oh and if you didn't see that one it, I'd suggest you tap 'Griezmann chip', 'Messi backheel' and 'Villarreal' into your search bar.

It was stunning stuff.

Just the five changes for Real Valladolid this evening from the side that started their 2-1 defeat at Valencia on Tuesday.

Head coach Sergio Gonzalez looks like he's going defensive.

Real Valladolid XI: Masip; Moyano, Olivas, Sanchez, Carnero, Fernandez, Emeterio, Alcaraz, Plano, Perez, Guardiola

Subs: Caro, Antonito, Alende, Nacho, Matheus, Hervias, Villa, Garcia, Waldo, Sandro, Unal, Miguel

The big surprise for Barcelona is that head coach Quique Setien has left Luis Suarez out. Looks like a midfield diamond to me, with the Uruguayan missing out in a must win game.

Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi start up top, while Ansu Fati is suspended after his red card in the 1-0 over Espanyol earlier in the week.

Barca have named just seven of the 12 permitted substitutes they are allowed, including teenage goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Roberto, Busquets, Puig, Vidal, Messi, Griezmann

Subs: Neto, Rakitic, Suarez, Firpo, Araujo, Braithwaite, Arnau

Image source, @FCBarcelona

Real Madrid's win over Alaves on Friday night saw them stretch their lead at the top of table.

And it means that Zinedine Zidane's side are now just two wins away from becoming La Liga champions.

Can Barcelona stop them? We shall see.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening. Who fancies Spanish tonight?

No. I am not talking about filling your boots with what's on offer at your local Spanish tapas restaurant (mine does a great takeaway menu) but Real Valladolid hosting Barcelona in La Liga.

So if you fancy sticking around Lionel Messi and Co are well and truly on the menu.