Not too much for Barcelona's injured midfielder Pedri to get up off his seat for yet.

Image source, EPA

Leo Baptistao has his shirt unceremoniously yanked as Barca's Raphinha stops a quick counter attack.

That'll be a booking for the former Leeds man.

First real chance for the visitors and what a chance. They break through a static Barcelona defence down the right and a complete miskick in the heart of the home defence allows the ball to run through to Largie Ramazani, who sees his effort blocked by Andreas Christensen at the back stick.

Image source, Reuters

Joao Cancelo has a pop but that's straight at Almeria's Portuguese keeper Luis Maximiano.

A bit of scramble in the Almeria box but Ronald Araujo and Joao Felix can't turn the ball home for Barca.

The visitors are all over the place at the back.

Image source, Getty Images

Huge chance for Barcelona. Captain Sergi Roberto is totally unmarked as a corner comes in from the left but heads straight at visiting keeper Luis Maximiano from six yards out.

He should have buried that.

Joao Felix takes the free-kick and sends and early effort wide.

Alex Pozo gives Alejandro Balde a tug back as the Barca man threatens to break clear down the left. That'll be a free-kick for the hosts and a yellow for the Almeria right-wing back.

The pattern of the match looks to have formed already.

Almeria have an attacking throw just inside Barcelona territory but have just two men forward. They have conceded 39 goals in 17 games this season and 21 have been on their travels.

Image source, Reuters

Away we go.

The teams are out and we are very close to getting under way.

It's never that helpful when you're missing some of your best players mind, which I'm sure Eddie Howe, Erik ten Hag and even Pep Guardiola would concur with.

And right on cue the TV pictures pan to a shot of Barcelona's Pedri and Inigo Martinez in the stands.

Barca also remain without goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi and Marcos Alonso.

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Will this man find the back of the net tonight for the hosts?

Robert Lewandowski scored just three goals in his last 13 appearances for Barcelona, which despite the fact he is now 35, is still somewhat of a barren patch.

He finished last season with 33 goals in all competitions and was the top scorer in La Liga with 23.

Image source, BBC Sport

Barcelona make three changes from the side that started Saturday's 1-1 draw at Valencia in La Liga.

Pedri misses out after reportedly picking up a muscle injury and Frankie de Jong is suspended meaning Sergi Roberto starts and captains the team with Fermin Lopez also coming into midfield.

Meanwhile, French defender Jules Kounde drops to the bench as former Chelsea man Andreas Christensen starts.

Barcelona XI: Pena, Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Roberto, Lopez, Gundogan, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix.

Image source, BBC Sport

Almeria make two changes to the side that began their 0-0 draw against Mallorca last weekend. Lucas Robertone was forced off in that match but would have missed out due to suspension anyway, while Adri Embarba is named as a substitute.

With the Marko Milovanovic, Ibrahima Kone, Marc Pubill, and Martin Svidersky all injured for the visitors, former Manchester United youngster Largie Ramazani and Ghana midfielder Iddrisu Baba both start.

Almeria XI: Maximiano, Pozo, Chumi, Edgar, Montes, Akieme, Baba, Lopy, Arribas, Ramazani, Baptistao.

Image source, Getty Images

Winless Almeria, currently sit bottom of La Liga and are nine points adrift of safety.

Surely a side that look destined for relegation could not spring a surprise this evening?

We'll find out very shortly but Barcelona boss Xavi could really do with his team putting on a show here before La Liga's winter break kicks in.

A defeat tonight would not be helpful given various reports suggest that all may not exactly hunky-dory between the Barcelona manager and club president Joan Laporta.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to our coverage of Barcelona v Almeria in La Liga.

This match probably needs to be regarded as being in the 'must win' category for the reigning champions.

Barca have won just one of their last four league games and find themselves fourth in the table as they play their final league game before Christmas.

And Xavi's side will be hoping to get back on track this evening at the Olympic Stadium before travelling to Dallas straight after the match to close the calendar year with a friendly against Mexican side Club America.