Barcelona fans have been signing Lionel Messi's name. Hopes remain that he could come back to the club this summer.

Betis make an enforced change through injury as Edgar Gonzalez replaces Luiz Felipe.

Raphinha does well to keep the ball in play in the corner quadrant or whatever it's called and wins a throw-in.

Betis come forward down the right but the pass to Luis Henrique is overhit and Frenkie de Jong lets it run out of play.

Pedri is caught offside. Barca have had most of the ball but not really done anything with it.

Barca have two minutes of near constant possession but then Raphinha is caught sleeping on the ball and Betis get it.

We are under way.

The players are in the tunnel. Not long to go now.

Barcelona have lost two of their last four La Liga home games against Real Betis (W2), having not lost any of their previous 16 at home to the Andalusian side in the competition (W14 D2).

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Real Betis are sixth in La Liga and hoping to be back in Europe next season.

Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini has lost 12 of his last 13 games against Barcelona in La Liga.

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Barcelona are one of three teams unbeaten at home in the league in Europe's top five leagues this campaign with German duo Bayern Munich and Union Berlin.

But Barca lost 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano last time out and are trying to avoid back-to-back defeats in La Liga for the first time since October 2021.

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Barcelona's defensive record in La Liga has been magnificent this season.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has played every minute, has only conceded 11 goals in 31 games.

"He's a perfectionist, I think that he's worked hard," said boss Xavi.

"He knew that he had to improve and he has done. This year he's at an extraordinary level.

"I think he's the best goalkeeper in the world, and more so for the way he fits our game."

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Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer in La Liga this season with 18 goals.

Karim Benzema is only one behind him, though, after his hat-trick against Almeria.

It is the lowest goal haul of a La Liga top scorer at this stage of a season since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2006-07.

Lewandowski is level with David Villa as the second highest La Liga scorer in his debut Barcelona season in the 21st century. Samuel Eto'o is top with 24.

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury which has kept him out since January.

Defender Andreas Christensen starts after over a month out injured.

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Real have won all of their seven La Liga home games versus Almeria, with a 29-6 aggregate score.

Only Cordoba (nine) have visited Real more often in La Liga without ever getting a point.

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Almeria never had another shot after their 61st-minute goal.

Real had two disallowed goals, hit the woodwork three times and had a penalty overturned by VAR in that period.

It's all over.

Real Madrid move to within eight points of Barcelona, while Almeria remain in relegation trouble.

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Real have hit both posts and the bar now as Marco Asensio curls one off the crossbar from 20 yards.

Almost there now, no danger of an Almeria comeback.