Good morning! It's half an hour until a busy day of LA Liga action gets underway with Barcelona hosting Rayo Vallecano. Let's start with a look at the teams for this morning's clash at Camp Nou.

BARCELONA STARTING XI: Bravo, Pique, Alba, Alves, Mathieu, Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano, Pedro, Suarez, Messi

RAYO VALLECANO STARTING XI: Alvarez, Tito, Amaya, Insua, Ba, Trashorras, Kakuta, Jozabed, Lica, Bueno, Baptistao

BARCELONA SUBSTITUTES: Ter Stegen, Bartra, Adriano, Rakitic, Rafinha, Roberto, El Haddidi

RAYO VALLECANO SUBSTITUTES: Cobeno, Martinez, Moreno, Aquino, Manucho, Quini, Pozuelo

There are a few changes for the hosts following their win over Villarreal in the Copa del Rey earlier this week. Claudio Bravo returns between the posts, while Javier Mascherano and Pedro come in as Sergio Busquets and Neymar miss out through injury and suspension respectively.

Meanwhile, the visitors have made four changed to the side that clinched a 4-2 win over Levante last time out. Leo Baptistao is preferred to Manucho up front, partnering Alberto Bueno, who scored four first-half goals last time out. Emiliano Insua and Abdoulaye Ba come in at the back, while Jozabed is in for Baena.

Ahead of this match, Rayo midfielder Roberto Trashorras said at a press conference: "I'm imagining a great game by Rayo, in which we have plenty of possession and we make Barcelona suffer. Obviously, that's easier said than done. It's crucial to plan a brave game, playing with a lot of intensity, where they aren't comfortable, where we have as much possession as possible and that they suffer."

Rafinha, who starts on the bench for the hosts today, told reporters: "We're going for the win. We've been getting better and better. There haven't been any big changes. We just feel better with each game we play."

As mentioned in the intro, Barcelona have a chance to climb above Real Madrid and claim top spot in La Liga this morning. They're just two points behind the league leaders heading into this match. Rayo Vallecano can't move up with victory, unless they will by a highly-unlikely 11 clear goals, but a win would leave the visitors level on points with Celta Vigo and Espanyol.

This is the first of four La Liga matches we'll be bringing you today. This afternoon, Real Sociedad host Espanyol, while Celta Vigo travel to Villarreal this evening, and champions Atletico Madrid face fourth-placed Valencia tonight, so make sure you're with us throughout the day to keep up to date with all the action in La Liga.

PREDICTION! The players will be out shortly, so there's just time for a quick prediction. Rayo have certainly been stronger in their last few matches, but the chance to go top will surely be enough to stop Barcelona slipping up this morning. I'm going for a 3-1 home win.

The players have just made their way out ready for kickoff. As ever, it's packed in Camp Nou, and there's a fantastic atmosphere to great the two sides.

Rayo Vallecano is one of the favourite league victims for @_Pedro17_ , who has scored 6 goals on them. #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/BmlgNZwBm3

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 8, 2015

KICKOFF! Rayo get the action underway!

Rayo are on the attack straight from the kickoff as Jozabed charges down the right before crossing the ball in towards Baptitao, but Bravo managed to get his hands to it before the striker can reach the ball. It's comfortably dealt with by the keeper, but it's a positive start for the visitors.

Barcelona put Rayo under pressure for the first time as Iniesta sends a high ball forward for Messi, but Cristian Alvarez is alert to the danger, and decisively rushes out of the box to head it away.

Luis Suarez fires Barcelona ahead early on with a powerful sliced effort from out wide. Xavi wins the ball back from a Rayo throw in and chips it forward for the Uruguayan, who takes a touch before lashing it past Alvarez.

Rayo respond well to the goal, pressing back down the other end straight away, forcing Jordi Alba to concede a corner as Baptistao charges into the box. The initial delivery is cleared before Kakuta tries to curl it back in, but his finish fails to trouble Bravo in the Barcelona goal.

CHANCE! Luis Suarez almost bags his second as he times a run to perfection, beating the offside trap to leave himself clear through on goal. Alvarez rushes out of his box, but the striker chips the ball past him. However, rather than going for goal himself, he tries to square it to Pedro, but Abdoulaye Ba rushes back to rescue Rayo and make the clearance.

CHANCE! Claudio Bravo has make a save as Roberto Trashorras creates himself some space on the edge of the box before driving it towards the Barca goal. However, it's struck at a comfortable height for the keeper, and he makes the save. It's certainly been a lively first 10 minutes!

PENALTY APPEAL! Suarez is causing all sorts of problems for the visitors as he rounds Ba before lining up a shot. The defender scrambles back though and appears to clip the goalscorers heels as he prepares to shoot. The home players immediately appeal for the spot kick, but the referee isn't interested.

CHANCES! Barcelona are desperate for a second goal, spurred on by being denied a penalty moments early. Messi gets the ball in the box, but he's crowded out, so he pulls it back for Xavi, but his hit on the half-volley is blocked.

The visitors try to catch Barca on the counter-attack, and they win a free kick in a dangerous position. Trashorras fails to clear the wall though, allowing Iniesta to race down the wing, but Suarez can't get on the end of his through-ball.

Rayo certainly haven't been put off by the early goal as Baptistao and Kakuta try cut inside, but Pique closes the latter down to send Barca back down the other end. Iniesta is tripped just outside the box, winning a free kick, but he can't curl it in.

CHANCES! Alvarez is having the throw himself around the box to keep the visitors in contention. Pedro sprints through, beating Tito for pace, but he scuffs the finish, allowing the keeper the jump on it. Suarez think that he'll have a chance moments later when Xavi sends a high ball back in, but Alvarez sprints out again to claim it.

Rayo are probably enjoying their best spell of possession so far as they keep the ball in midfield with the centre-backs edging forward. Insua gets impatient though and tries to force the ball forward, but there's no-one there to connect with it. It's a wasted chance and that had looked like a positive move for the visitors.

BOOKING! Tito gets the first booking of the match as he pulls Suarez back on the edge of the box.

CHANCE! Messi steps up the take the free kick, and he curls it perfectly around the wall, but Alvarez jumps up high to stop it sneaking in under the crossbar.

BOOKING! Javier Machserano charges in late on Bueno as he tries to drive the ball in right on the edge of the box, giving the visitors a free kick in a very dangerous area.

CHANCE! Trashorras's free kick is superbly struck, clearing the ball before dipping, but it swerves just a few inches wide of the left upright. Rayo were enthusiastic but a bit frantic going forward early on, but they've been showing a bit more composure in the last five minutes or so. Barcelona are still creating plenty going forward though.

CHANCE! Messi attempts to dink the ball past Alvarez as he loses Ba with a quick run into the box, but the Argentine's finish is a fraction wide. He had the keeper beaten, but the final touch just brushed the side-netting as it went behind.

Barcelona are on the attack again, with Messi creating the opportunity with a speedy run down the right. Iniesta picks it up on the edge of the box, but his chip in is claimed by Ba and cleared. It's soon reclaimed in midfield by Xavi though, but Suarez is flagged for offside as it's played forward again, although looking at the replays it was a harsh call, as Tito was playing him on.

Ba gets forward to help out up front for Rayo, powering down the right flank before looking for the cross, but it's blocked by Pique.

CHANCE! Alvarez is called into action yet again as Iniesta skips around Ba before passing the ball into the path of the incoming Messi, but Amaya does just enough to slow down the striker, giving the keeper time to prepare for the shot, blocking it on the line.

Xavi and Messi play the ball throough the middle for Iniesta, but Alba mis-reads the midfielder's run, leaving Iniesta to fire it into empty space, expecting his teammate to be there.

An entertaining 45 minutes comes to a close with Rayo Vallecano still very much in this match. Barcelona have had a handful of superb chances, but only Luis Suarez's early strike has found the back of the net, giving the hosts just a one-goal advantage at the break.

Sweeper keeper Cristian Alvarez have been working hard in the box for the visitors. The statistics show that Barcelona had five shots, just one of which was on target, but many more were prevented by Alvarez's quick reaction at the back.

Here are some of the other stats from the first half. Barcelona had the majority of the possession with 56%. However, the visitors had more efforts on target, with two to Barcelona's one. The hosts gave away more fouls, with six compared to just four by the visitors, but both sides picked up a booking.

Except for injury, it seems unlikely that Barcelona will be making any early changes, but Raye have options on the bench. Ba and Insua have struggled at the back, so Nacho Martinez could be preferred to try to slow down Messi and Suarez, while Alejandro Pozuelo and Manucho are among the attacking options.

Barcelona have their biggest crowd of the season at Camp Nou today. Here's a shot of the packed stadium just ahead of kickoff:

Today at #CampNou there are 87,151 spectators on hand to see #FCBRayo, the top attendance of the season. pic.twitter.com/1dLbDpABFy — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 8, 2015

The players are heading back out ready for the start of the second half.

RESTART! The home side get the action back underway.

Barcelona are on the attack straight away as Xavi plays the ball through for Iniesta, but Tito does just enough to halt his progress. Iniesta gets another chance moments later, but the defender is in his way again, but this time he wins a free kick.

Amaya clears Xavi's initial free kick, but Messi picks it up on the edge of the box. He spots Pique in space, but the defender loses the ball to Ba, who boots it behind for corner. This is some good early pressure.

The corner is curled in to Alves just inside the box, and he rises high for a free header. Alvarez flaps at it and manages to turn into onto the crossbar, but the ball rebounds to Pique, who just needs the slightest of touches at the post to double the home side's lead.

CHANCE! Rayo come close down the other end as Kakuta wins a free kick and whips it into the box. It eventually falls for Bueno, but his low finish bobbles just wide of the right post. Meanwhile, Mascherano and Baptistao are both down after clashing heads while both trying to win the ball in the air, but they both eventually get back to their feet.

CHANCE! Barcelona almost add a third as Xavi slices it out wide for Iniesta. The midfielder blasts it low, but Alvazrez sees it late to make the parry, and Ba turns it behind.

RED CARD! Tito The defender gets a second yellow card for pulling down Suarez in the box.

It takes a few minutes to sort out the spot kick as Alvarez initially appears to save Messi's spot kick. However, the referee orders it to be retaken as the keeper came off his line. Trashorras is fuming, and talks himself into a yellow card, but Messi isn't distracted and slots it into the bottom right corner at the second time of asking.

BOOKING! Jordi Alba is late with a tackle on Kakuta, and picks up Barcelona's second booking at the day.

SUB! The hosts make the first change of the game, with Ivan Rakitic taking the place of Mascherano.

Pedro races down the left to collect a ball from Iniesta, but he can't control it in time to get the shot away, and ends up clattering into the ad boards behind the goal. He's a bit shaken, but manages to run it off.

Kakuta shows some brilliant control on the edge of the box to send a cross in on the turn, but Pique is ready for it and heads it clear.

Barcelona strike on the counter-attack as Alvarez makes a diving save to deny Suarez, just to parry the ball into the path of Messi, who just has to tap it at the post to make it four. It's also Messi's 40th goal of the season.

SUB! The visitors make a change with Quini taking over from Jozabed in midfield.

SUB! There's also a second change for Barca, with Iniesta heading off to make way for Rafinha.

Alves finds Messi on the edge of the box, but Trashorras catches him late to give the hosts a free kick in a dangerous area. Messi will surely be looking for his hat-trick from this set piece.

CHANCE! Messi does indeed take it, curling it perfectly with his left foot, but it's not the most powerful shot, giving Alvarez time to get across his goal and make the stop.

Barcelona win it back quickly, and Xavi squares it to Messi, who holds off some close marking from Amaya before rounding the keeper and coolly slotting the ball in, completing his hat-trick just 12 minutes after scoring his first.

Barcelona are pushing again as Pedro and Alba team up in the box, forcing the visitors to concede a corner. Xavi curls it in, but Alvarez it out to claim it.

It feels like it could be any score at the moment as Barcelona continue to press against the 10 men of Rayo. Adriano tries to get involved up front, but Alvarez is able to claim his lofted effort, although it looked like it was going over.

Messi is being closely marked as Rayo try to stop him adding his fourth. He beats a couple of defenders, but Insua eventually takes it away from the Argentine. Meanwhile, Alvazrez appears to have picked up a knock, which is understandable as the keeper has certainly been kept busy!

After a bit of treatment, Alvazrez appears to be ready to continue. It doesn't look like Barcelona are going to go any easier on him though as Rafinha immediately looks to put the visitors under pressure with a run down the left flank, but there's no-one there for him to cross to.

RED CARD! Dani Alves! It's going to finish 10-a-side as Alves denies Bueno a goal-scoring opportunity.

Alves will feel very harshly done to as it looks like he actually got the ball to block Bueno's shot, but the referee think that he's caught the winger, so awards the spot kick. Bueno makes no mistake from the spot, blasting the ball into the bottom left corner.

Rayo have been buoyed by the goal, and quickly looks for a second. It does actually end up in the back of the net, but only after Kakuta had been ruled offside.

SUB! The visitors make their final change and Manucho comes on for Baptistao.

CHANCE! Suarez has a chance to add his second of the match as Messi finds Rakitic, who squares it to the striker, but Alvarez dives to make the save.

BOOKING! Javier Aquino grabs a handful of Messi's shirt while battling with the hat-trick scorer in midfield, pulling him to the ground for a careless booking.

Kakuta has worked hard for Rayo this afternoon and he continues to try to set something up for the visitors, sending in yet another well-timed pass, but Bravo comes out to claim it.

CHANCE! Suarez is clean through on goal, but he selflessly passes to Messi rather than taking on the shot himself, but the striker's first touch is unusually poor, and he can only smash it into the side-netting.

Pedro lofts a high ball forward to Adriano, who hits a low cross in for Rafinha, but Alvarez remains alert. It might sound odd, given that he's conceded five goals, but the Rayo keeper has been excellent.

As three minutes of stoppage time get underway, Messi gets the ball on the edge of the box, but he has three Rayo defenders for company, so he slides it in for Suarez, who cuts inside from the right before squeezing it under Alvarez.

BOOKING! Adriano picked up a booking in the run up to the goal for a late challenge on Quini.

Suarez thinks there's still time for a hat-trick as he skips around Insua, but the angle is too tight, leaving Alvarez to boot it clear.

Barcelona move to the top of La Liga in style with an emphatic win over Rayo Vallecano then. Lionel Messi may have been quiet in the first half, but when he hit his stride he really took it away from the visitors, netting three times in 12 minutes.

That's all from this match, but join us again from 3.30pm for live coverage of Real Sociedad's match against Espanyol. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye!

The goal gives #Messi his 32nd hat trick, passing Zarra to become the all-time leader in trifectas. #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/btnCulFkRl — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 8, 2015