Barcelona vs Real Betis LIVE - Lionel Messi scores twice but Barca slump to thrilling 4-3 defeat
Follow live coverage of the La Liga clash
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Your support makes all the difference.Lionel Messi makes his first appearance for FC Barcelona since injuring his arm against Sevilla in October.
Barcelona are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table and can create a four point gap between them and Atletico Madrid with a win against Real Betis.
The Catalonian side were denied a slim victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday when Malcom’s 83rd minute strike was levelled by Mauro Icardi four minutes later.
Follow live updates below:
When is it?
Barcelona vs Real Betis begins at 15:15 GMT at the Camp Nou
How to watch
Eleven Sports will be showing live coverage on Eleven Sports 1
Odds
Barcelona to win: 1/5
Real Betis to win: 12/1
Draw: 6/1
Prediction
Barcelona 2-0 Real Betis
42 minutes
Messi's cross to the far post finds Sergi Roberto, who chests it down to Suarez, but his shot is well over the bar.
Better from Barcelona though.
You do feel that if Barcelona are going to get back into this game, it's going to have to be a bit of inspiration from Messi, because at the moment, Barca uncharacteristically can't keep the ball.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-2 Real Betis
An astonishing first-half performance from the visitors,as goals from Junior Firpo and Joaquin gives Betis a two-goal lead at the break.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have been poor, and Ernesto Valverde will have plenty to say to his players at the interval.
To put this into context, Barcelona's unbeaten record at home in the league is under threat, whilst this would only be Betis' second away win in La Liga.
Second half coming up shortly.
The players are back out on the pitch for the second-half.
Barcelona make a change at the break - Arturo Vidal replaces Arthur in midfield.
46 minutes
Vidal is straight into the action 15 seconds in, as his low left-footed shot is saved well by Lopez, who just clings on with Suarez approaching.
48 minutes
Messi goes close, with his left-footed shot on the edge of the box going just wide of Lopez's right-hand post. Barcelona have started the second-half very strongly.
51 minutes
Messi swings in a wicked out-swinging corner, and Sergio Busquets squanders a great opportunity at the near post, heading just over.
55 minutes
With plenty of space 25 yards out, Betis' Lo Celso shoots straight at ter Stegen.
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