Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Ipurua as struggling Eibar welcome the league leaders Barcelona. Both sides are in desperate need of the points at this stage, but for very, very different reasons. Let's hope for an entertaining affair in Spain's top flight.

Eibar surprised many with their form in the early part of the season, but they have really struggled since the turn of the year – picking up just one point from their last eight league matches. They are still outside of the relegation zone, but last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Levante dropped them to 14th, just three points clear of safety with 12 games of the season remaining. They are in a spot of bother.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are now the in-form team in La Liga. They have won eight of their last nine in the league, with that run of form seeing them move above Real Madrid at the top. They are just one point clear of Los Blancos, but have the chance to stretch that lead to four points, with Carlo Ancelotti's side not in action until tomorrow evening, when they welcome Levante to the Bernabeu. In 13 away league games this season, Barca have won nine times, scoring 30 and conceding just eight.

TEAMS

EIBAR: Jaime; Boveda, Ekiza, Navas, Lillo, Vila; Lara, Errasti, Borja; Saul, Manu

BARCA: Bravo; Montoya, Bartra, Pique, Adriano; Roberto, Rakitic, Rafinha; Messi, Suarez, Neymar

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It is desperate times for Eibar, but Barca will not be in the mood to offer any favours. The visitors get the action underway.

I have to be honest, I fear for Eibar in this one. It could be a bit of a thumping, despite Barcelona boss Luis Enrique shuffling his pack. As expected, the away side have taken control of the ball early on.

Half-chance for Barcelona inside two minutes as Neymar drives down the right before delivering towards the near post, but Boveda just does enough to clear ahead of the waiting Suarez.

The early signs are that this will be an open match as Jon Errasi delivers a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box, but Adriano does enough to clear the danger. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but Montoya's deep cross is blocked. Signs that this one will be exciting!

Eibar continue to threaten as Berjon finds space down the left before delivering along the ground, but Pique does enough to clear the danger. The resulting set piece is delivered by Lara, but Barcelona manage to clear before Suarez carries the ball away. End-to-end football in the early moments here.

In fairness to Eibar, they are taking the game to Barcelona when they have the chance. Whether that is the smartest of moves is another question, but it is creating an open and entertaining affair here.

Suarez attempts to slide a pass into Messi as Barcelona's front three combine impressively, but Eibar's Jaime is out to claim at the vital moment. No real chances for either side in the opening 10 minutes.

Barcelona are dominating the ball at the moment as they pass and probe in the final third, but Eibar have done a good job of closing the space thus far. Rakitic slides a pass into Messi, who turns Ekiza, but Navas is on the cover to clear the danger. The home supporters remain in good voice here.

It is almost like a training match for Barcelona at the moment as they remain camped outside the Eibar box, but they are finding it difficult to break that rear-guard. Credit to Eibar for their start here.

Barcelona have a free kick just outside the box as Errasti brings Messi to the ground...

... Neymar takes the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Not great there.

Well, it is a case of so far, so good for Eibar, with 20 minutes on the clock and the scores still level. Barcelona have had the majority of the play, but neither side has created a clear chance thus far.

Manu del Moral has the chance to turn away from the Barcelona back four, but the Spaniard's cross is blocked at the near post. Barcelona's level has just dropped in the last couple of minutes here.

Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they continue to dominate possession, but they have not had too much luck creating chances thus far, which is credit to Eibar, who have been nice and tight at the back.

You just get the feeling that Eibar need to score the first goal tonight if they are to stand a chance of taking something from the match. Barcelona have not really been at the races thus far, but they have the ability to turn it on in the space of five seconds. Still goalless with 26 minutes on the clock.

Manu del Moral again races down the right for the home side before feeding Berjon, but his low cross is blocked. Plenty of reasons for the home supporters to be positive about their side at the moment.

Half-chance for the home side as Lara delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Pique manages to head clear. In the scuffle, Montoya takes a knock and stays down to receive treatment.

BOOKING! Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Ekiza, who is booked, handles inside the box after trying to block a powerful strike from Messi. It is perhaps just about the right decision.

Messi makes no mistake from the spot as he fires into the bottom corner. It is harsh on Eibar, who managed to keep Barcelona at bay for the opening 30 minutes, but the visitors are now ahead!

Messi now has 31 league goals for the season - one more than a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. I suspect that the Argentine will get a few chances to add to his tally in the remainder of this match!

It has been a decent response from Eibar, with a couple of crosses from wide areas causing problems inside the Barcelona box, but the Catalan outfit manage to resist the danger. It has been a difficult opening 36 minutes for the visitors, but they lead and as it stands, will go four points clear at the top.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following some late challenges. Eibar remain a threat in the final third, but their final ball has been slightly disappointing. In truth, that has been the story of their season as they continue to struggle.

Half-chance for the home side as Lara finds a pocket of space outside the Barcelona box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Eibar are still very much in this match that is for sure.

Just a reminder that, as it stands, Barcelona are moving four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table. Next weekend, Barcelona welcome Real Madrid in El Clasico - quite a big game that one!

CHANCE! Barcelona come close to adding a second before the break as Messi races past two defenders before attempting to square for a teammate, but Vila is on the cover to clear. Excellent defending!

The referee indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of a well-taken penalty from Lionel Messi, who has now moved to the top of the scoring charts in La Liga. Eibar have had their moments, but have struggled to create opportunities in a fairly low-key half here.

STATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had six attempts, but just one of those has been on target - the goal. Eibar, meanwhile, have been unable to test Bravo thus far. There has been just the one booking, with Ekiza carded for handball inside the box.

BENCH WATCH! Eibar boss Garitano has three obvious attacking options on his bench this evening in the shape of Arruabarrena, Capa and Piovaccari - players that are all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the likes of Iniesta, Pedro and Xavi on their bench here.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Eibar find a response against the league leaders? It is the hosts that resume proceedings in the second half.

No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so.

Real Madrid will be hoping for a response from Eibar, but in truth, the hosts have really struggled in the final third thus far. Fairly low-key start to the half, with Barcelona in control of the possession.

The rain is really falling above us at the moment, which should make the pitch nice and quick in the second period. If Barcelona score a second goal then it might well be curtains for the hosts here.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following some late challenges. Barcelona remain in control of the possession at the start of the half.

CHANCE! Barcelona come close to scoring a second as Neymar collects a super pass from Messi before attempting to lift one past Jaime, but the Eibar goalkeeper makes a smart save.

Barcelona have their second of the match as Messi heads a Rakitic corner into the bottom corner. It was almost cleared off the line, but the Argentine's effort found its way into the back of the net.

CHANCE! Much better from Eibar as Lara strikes one from outside the box, but Bravo is down to make a smart save. The home side really need to come out and force the issue now.

SUB! Eibar make their first change of the match as Capa replaces Errasti.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona are in total control here. Messi, meanwhile, is on another hat trick - incredible really. Still plenty of football remaining in this one tonight.

Half-chance for Neymar as the Brazilian steps off the left for striking towards goal, but Ekiza makes the block. This could be a hard final 30 minutes for Eibar, who just cannot keep the ball at the moment.

SUB! Barca make their first change as Xavi, who comes on for his 750th Barcelona appearance, replaces Rakitic. Luis Enrique might already have one eye on the Manchester City clash next week.

It is all Barcelona at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Eibar are just struggling to hold on at the moment as more good work from Suarez forces a corner.

Another half-chance for Barcelona as Neymar delivers a low cross towards Suarez, but Boveda just does enough to clear at the vital moment. I suspect that Barca boss Enrique will look to make a couple of changes in the next five or 10 minutes as he prepares for the Man City clash next week.

SUB! Barca make their second change of the match as Pedro replaces Neymar. Eibar also look to their bench for the second time tonight as Manu del Moral is replaced by Piovaccari.

Lara has the chance to deliver a free kick into the Barcelona box, but Pique rises to clear under pressure from Vila. Saul Berjon delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post moments later, but there are no takers. Where are the midfield runners? One goal for Eibar at this stage would make things interesting!

Just a reminder that Real Madrid do not play until tomorrow evening, with Los Blancos welcoming Levante. It appears that they will be four points behind Barcelona by the time they take to the field.

Much better from the home side as Capa finds space in the final third before sliding a pass into Piovaccari, but his effort is blocked for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the middle of the box, but Rafinha blocks an attempt from Berjon. Finally some sustained pressure from Eibar.

SUB! Eibar make their third change as Boateng replaces Vila.

Little over 10 minutes remaining and Barcelona go in search of a third down the right, but Montoya is forced back inside and the danger is cleared. Eibar have responded well to that second Messi goal.

Half-chance for the home side as Piovaccari delivers a dangerous cross from the left, but Bartra is across to make a really smart block. There might still be something in this match for the home side!

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with Barcelona playing very much within themselves, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of events. Still 2-0 Barca here.

Messi attempts to float a pass into Suarez after another excellent turn, but the Argentine's ball is just too strong and Eibar have a goal kick. Little under five minutes of normal time remaining here.

Decent spell for the home side in the last couple of minutes as Lara delivers two dangerous balls into the box, but Barca manage to clear the danger. There has been plenty of effort from the hosts here.

CHANCE! Pedro comes close to scoring a third for the away side after a quick counter, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Eibar could not live with the pace there!

CROSSBAR! Eibar come close down the other end as Piovaccari strikes one from inside the Barca box, but his effort rattles the crossbar. End-to-end football in the latter stages here!

We are into the second of two additional minutes here.

It has been a really good effort from the home side, but Messi has been the difference.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona winning 2-0 to move four points clear at the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!