Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as league leaders Barcelona welcome relegation-threatened Deportivo La Coruna. The home side will be looking to stretch their lead at the summit, although Deportivo will be confident after moving out of the bottom three with a huge 1-0 win over Leganes last time out. Stay tuned for the action!

Barcelona have not lost a home La Liga match to Deportivo since October 2003, which is an indication of the task facing the visitors here. That said, two of the last three league meetings between the two teams at Camp Nou have finished 2-2. Going further back, Deportivo have prevented Barcelona from winning this fixture in three of their last five clashes at Camp Nou.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Camp Nou. Both teams have had a free week to prepare for this match. Has Valverde made any changes from the team that won 2-0 at Villarreal? What about the visitors, any alterations? Let's see...

TEAMS!

BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Alcacer

DEPOR: Ruben; Juanfran, Schar, Sidnei, Navarro; Borges, Guilherme; Gil, Colak, Adrian; Lucas

Last season, #BarçaDepor finished 4-0 - we'd love a repeat! #ForçaBarça 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/oGpWB0r2VP

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 17, 2017

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has made two changes to the team that started against Villarreal last weekend - Andres Iniesta and Paco Alcacer coming in for Sergio Busquets and Denis Suarez, who both drop to the bench. Thomas Vermaelen continues at centre-back due to the absence of Samuel Umtiti, while summer signing Paulinho is given another spot in the middle of the park.

As for Deportivo, it is the same XI that started their 1-0 win over Leganes last weekend. Carles Gil and Adrian will again support lone forward Lucas Perez from wide areas, while Emre Colak will play in an advanced midfield role once again. Celso Borges will skipper the visitors from the middle of midfield.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening at Camp Nou. I shall speak about Deportivo a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona. As mentioned, the Catalan giants will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win at Villarreal.

1 - Barcelona have lost just one of their last 14 La Liga matches against Deportivo (W9 D4), however that single defeat did come the last time the two sides met in the competition. Memory. pic.twitter.com/xiW3497Y5d — OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 17, 2017

Barcelona were finding it difficult against Villarreal last time out until Dani Raba picked up a red card on the hour. Luis Suarez then sent the visitors ahead, before Lionel Messi made it 2-0. Valverde's side have now won 12 of their 15 La Liga matches this season – remaining unbeaten in the process.

Barcelona also have the joint-best defensive record at this stage of the season having conceded just seven times in their 15 matches. It has not always been pretty under the leadership of Valverde, but the former Athletic Bilbao boss has made Barcelona very, very difficult to beat. Another win tonight would move the league leaders onto 42 points from 16 matches.

Real Madrid's involvement in the Club World Cup means that Barcelona have the chance to move 11 points clear of their rivals tonight. That would be a serious advantage with Real Madrid having just one game in hand. In all honesty, Real Madrid have to beat Barcelona in El Clasico next weekend if they are to stand a chance of retaining their title this season. What a game that should be!

👉 Barça XI
⚽️ #BarçaDepor
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/MIx8CPWO0W — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 17, 2017

Barcelona are the strong favourites tonight, but as mentioned, Deportivo have picked up some draws at Camp Nou in recent seasons. Celta Vigo also held Barcelona in the league earlier this month, and this might well be a tricky game for the hosts, who have been drawn to face Chelsea in the last-16 stage of the Champions League. That should be a cracking knockout round clash.

Deportivo have had a difficult opening few months to the 2017-18 campaign. They have only collected 15 points from their 15 matches, which has left them down in 17th position in the table. Cristobal's side did not win in the league between November 4 and December 2, but picked up a massive three points at home to Leganes last weekend to move out of the bottom three.

In terms of what is ahead for Deportivo, they will welcome Celta Vigo next weekend, before the winter break kicks in. It would be massive for the Blues and Whites if they could pick up two positive results in the latter stages of 2017. Tonight, however, is a very tough assignment.

A reminder of the two starting teams for this match...

BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Alcacer

DEPOR: Ruben; Juanfran, Schar, Sidnei, Navarro; Borges, Guilherme; Gil, Colak, Adrian; Lucas

0 - Barcelona have not lost any of their 14 La Liga games with Thomas Vermaelen (W11 D3). Confidence. pic.twitter.com/B71ZiEFTUg — OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 17, 2017

KICKOFF! Barcelona will kick things off here...

... you do get the feeling that Deportivo need to start well here if they are to have a chance of picking up a positive result. As expected, Barcelona are in control of the early possession at Camp Nou.

CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Iniesta finds Messi inside the Deportivo box, but the Argentine fires the ball over the crossbar. Really should have scored there!

GOAL DISALLOWED! Luis Suarez fires home for Barcelona following a wonderful passing move, but the striker was offside. The Uruguay international has lived offside in recent weeks!

It has been all Barcelona in the opening eight minutes of this match, with the visitors struggling to get hold of the ball. Lucas Perez has been very isolated in the final third of the field thus far here.

Barcelona have been very sharp in the opening 10 minutes of this match as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Messi delivers into the Deportivo box following a short corner, but Navarro is on hand to make the clearance. Still goalless at Camp Nou here.

It has been a little bit better from Deportivo in the last couple of minutes, with good work from Perez winning a corner. The set piece, however, is cleared as Barcelona press down the field.

Half-chance for Barcelona as Messi meets a cross from Alba, but Deportivo's goalkeeper is on hand to make the save. Much more of an open game with 14 minutes on the clock here.

Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, and Deportivo have needed some luck as a couple of passes have gone astray. Still goalless with 16 minutes on the clock.

Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona. Deportivo, meanwhile, are sitting deep in a bid to frustrate the home side. Lucas Perez has been lively for the visitors in the final third, although he has been isolated in the opening 19 minutes. It is a decent game without too many exciting moments.

Alcacer has just limped off the field, and it looks like Vidal will be his replacement.

BARCELONA SUB! Vidal eventually comes onto the field for Alcacer.

Not an awful lot to report in the last few minutes as Deportivo continue to sit in a deep position. Barcelona are having a lot of the ball without really threatening to make the breakthrough here.

SAVE! Super save from Ruben as the Deportivo goalkeeper gets down to keep out a strike from Messi, who has now had two really good chances to make the breakthrough here.

SAVE! Ruben pushes a Vidal strike over the crossbar!

Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 29th minute as Luis Suarez converts a low cross from Messi at the far post. The forward just could not miss after a wonderful cross from Messi.

BOOKING! Schar (Deportivo) is booked for a poor challenge on Luis Suarez.

Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Barcelona lead courtesy of that close-range finish from Luis Suarez. It has not been the best game of football, but the home side are comfortable as we approach the final stages of the first half. Deportivo need to stay in the game.

CROSSBAR! Messi hits the crossbar for Barcelona after driving into the final third of the field. Deportivo have needed a lot of luck to stay in this football match.

Barcelona are in control of this game at the moment as they keep the ball in their own half. Deportivo really need the half-time interval as they look to regroup following a tough spell.

Barcelona double their lead in the 41st minute as Paulinho converts from close range after Messi's strike from inside the box had hit the Deportivo post. Another Messi assist of sorts here!

CHANCE! Luis Suarez looks to convert from close range, but the linesman says that the ball did not cross the line! If it did not, it was a wonderful save from Ruben!

It appears that Ruben has made a quite wonderful save from the Suarez rabona!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading Deportivo 2-0 courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez and Paulinho. In truth, it has been a very comfortable first 45 minutes for Barcelona, who are moving six points clear of Atletico Madrid as things stand.

STATISTICS! Barcelona dominated the first-half possession with 65%, while they had 13 attempts - eight of which were on target. Deportivo, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their three attempts. Just the one yellow card to report at Camp Nou - Deportivo's Schar in the 32nd minute of action.

BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have already been forced into a change here, with Alcacer being replaced by Vidal in the early stages. Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez are among those that will hope to feature in the second period. As for Deportivo, head coach Parralo has options in the shape of Bakkali, Borja and Luisinho as he looks to find a route back into this football match.

RESTART! Deportivo resume the action here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.

Barcelona have their third of the night as Luis Suarez converts a low cross from Sergi Roberto at the far post. It was a wonderful cross from Roberto, and the centre-forward could not miss.

Deportivo are doing their best to force the issue, but Lucas Perez does not have much support in the final third. It has become a damage limitation exercise for the visitors as they attempt to avoid a heavy defeat, which is the last thing that they need in their battle against the drop.

Barcelona are in no mood for mercy tonight, however, as they continue to force the issue. Messi, Paulinho and Luis Suarez are all on the same wavelength in the final third of the field.

Deportivo have delivered a couple of crosses into the Barcelona box in the last few minutes, but Pique has been on hand to clear the danger. Still 3-0 to the hosts with 55 minutes on the clock.

BARCELONA SUB! Andre Gomes replaces Iniesta for the home side.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and not too much is happening at the moment. Barcelona could probably score two or three more if they want, but the pace of the match has dropped as Deportivo sit deep. Still no movement on the away side's bench here.

Lucas Perez manages to break clear for the away side, but the on-loan Arsenal forward cannot release a clean strike, and Barcelona will resume from the dead-ball line once again.

DEPORTIVO SUBS! Fede and Bakkali replace Guilherme and Colak for the visitors.

Little over 25 minutes of football remaining at Camp Nou, and Barcelona are moving six points clear at the top of the table as things stand. Deportivo have had no answers to the leaders in this game.

CROSSBAR! Messi hits the woodwork for a third time as he strikes a free kick from distance. The Argentine then whistles one wide of the Deportivo post!

CHANCE! Super chance for Luis Suarez to make it four as the striker races into the Deportivo box and looks to round Ruben, but the Deportivo goalkeeper gets a hand to the ball!

Valverde brings Luis Suarez to the deck, and Barcelona have a spot kick.

SAVE! Ruben keeps out Messi's penalty, wow!

Well, Paulinho loves those rebounds tonight! The Brazilian taps home from close range after Alba had hit the post with a low effort. Deportivo are absolutely sinking here as Barcelona dominate.

It has been a very tough night for Deportivo, but whether they survive in the league this season is not going to depend on their results against the likes of Barcelona. The hosts could have scored six or seven if they really wanted tonight. They have simply been that dominant all over the park.

CHANCE! Another super chance for Messi as the Argentine finds himself free inside the box, but he misses the post. He could have had four or five tonight!

BARCELONA SUB! Digne replaces Alba for the home side.

Vidal misses the crossbar with a volley as Barcelona continue to look for more goals here.

DPOERTIVO SUB! Borja replaces Gil for the away side.

POST! Luis Suarez hits the post from a narrowing angle as Barcelona drive forward once again! The pass into Messi was on, but the striker went for his hat-trick.

You do get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match as Barcelona drive forward. This really could have been anything in terms of a scoreline.

Barcelona are heading six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, while they are moving 11 points clear of Real Madrid, which is some advantage ahead of El Clasico next weekend.

We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona recording a 4-0 win over Deportivo to move six points clear at the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!