Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Barcelonas match against Athletic Bilbao.

Stat from Opta: "Guardiola’s men have won all but one of their home league games this season, averaging 4.1 goals per game and are unbeaten in 32 on their own turf (D3)."

Ibai Gomez produces a delicious ball with the outside of his boot to find Gaizka Toquero, who is offside when floating a header over the bar.

Busquets leaps into the air and accidentally wraps his legs around Oscar de Marcos as the two players get in quite a tangle.

Messi goes in search of the opener. Bilbao lose possession just outside their own box and Thiago slips a pass to his team-mate, who negotiates his way around one challenge before seeing his effort blocked.

Bielsa looks absolutely furious on the touchline after Bilbao are guilty of a sloppy pass to cede possession back to Barca.

Stat from Opta: "Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 20 league games at home to sides from the Basque Country, winning 18 and drawing just two."

Adriano throws himself to the floor to try and win a free kick from Javi Martinez but the referee isn't fooled and play continues.

Alexis Sanchez, Messi and Andres Iniesta are all involved in a flowing move but it breaks down when the Spain international is, for once, guilty of a poor touch and loses possession.

Barca have a goal ruled out. Messi lifts an outrageous scooped pass over a Bilbao defender for Alves, who gets his toe to the ball and pokes it square to Thiago, who converts from eight yards. However, the youngster had strayed just offside.

Stat from Opta: "Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 11 league meetings with Athletic (W8 D3)."

Chance for Barca! After Dani Alves has a firm effort from range punched out by Gorka Iraizoz, Barca surge forward again and Cristian Tello cuts back for Pique, who turns his shot over the bar from 10 yards out.

Gerard Pique embarks on a run upfield, typically, but is caught out when being dispossessed in the centre circle.

Now Valdes is called upon to smother a low cross from the left as Bilbao apply more pressure. It has been a decent start from Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Victor Valdes almost gets himself in trouble when dealing with a pass back, but Barcelona love to play under that kind of pressure and the keeper clears.

KICK OFF!

Barca fans will have been hoping that Osasuna could do them a favour by beating Real Madrid earlier this evening - no such luck for them as Jose Mourinho's men have just finished annihilating La Liga's sixth-best side.

Both sides have rested players with one eye on their European campaigns, which resume next week. Xavi and Puyol are on the bench for Barca while Llorente and Muniain are among Bilbao's subs.

TEAMS: Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano; Busquets, Thiago, Iniesta; Alexis, Messi, Tello. //// Athletic Bilbao (4-3-3): Iraizoz; Iraola, Javi Martinez, Ekiza, Aurtenetxe; Iturraspe, De Marcos, Inigo Perez; Ibai, Susaeta, Toquero.