Granada CF - FC Barcelona

The injury to Ansu has given Dembele a prolonged run in the first team and the French winger has, by and large, made the most of that opportunity. He has given Barcelona something a little different.

Dembele was impressive against Athletic Club. While he lacked the final product, it was the sort of performance that reminded us all why Barcelona spent so much to sign him in the first place. He’s been decent here too.

PICTURE: Griezmann on form!

It will be interesting to see if any players come into Barcelona over the January transfer window. Of course, this is a club that is still facing some financial peril, so don’t expect them so spend much at all.

It's been a difficult season for Barcelona, but they are playing some lovely stuff at the moment. In this form, they have to be considered challengers, even if they are outsiders.

Of course, speculation is also swirling around Messi and the move he could potentially make at the end of the season, when he will be out of contract. He is already free to talk to other clubs!

PICTURE: Barca well on top

Over the bar! Machis gets on the end of a cross into the Barcelona box, beating Dest there, but there was no way for the Granada attacker to control that effort and the ball flies over.

The issue for Barcelona is that they could really use Garcia in their squad for the second half of the season such is the injury troubles they have experienced at the back so far this campaign. Can they strike a deal?

Speculation continues to swirl around the possible signing of Eric Garcia from Manchester City. The young defender is widely expected to sign a pre-contract to return to Barca, where he came through the youth system.

Just over! De Jong surges to the edge of the Granada penalty area and gets the shot away, but the Dutch midfielder sends his effort inches over the target. Silva had it covered.

Victory over Athletic Club lifted Barcelona up to third place in the table. That at least makes the standings look a bit more manageable for the Camp Nou club. They are starting to build some momentum.

PICTURE: Messi in excellent form

This is a chance for Barcelona to put some pressure on Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid above them in the La Liga table. There is still time for the Catalans to mount a genuine title challenge.

Barcelona were very impressive in the first half. They might already have the points in the bag. It's going to be very difficult for Granada to fight their way back into this one.

The second half is under way! Barcelona have a 3-0 lead over Granada in this La Liga fixture.

HALF TIME: Granada 0-3 Barcelona. It has been the Messi show so far for Barcelona. The Argentine has two goals and is on a hat trick, while the Catalans are likely already out of sight.

There will be one minute of stoppage time played at the end of the first half.

So... Messi is back, then. He has four goals in his last two goals and has taken a grip of this game almost entirely on his own. Is there any way to stop Messi when he is in this sort of form?

PICTURE: Umtiti is playing on with a knock

Shot over the crossbar! Dest played the quick pass into Dembele on the edge of the Granada penalty area, but the French winger blasts his effort miles over the crossbar.

That was vintage Messi in the way he bent the finish into the back of the net from the edge of the opposition penalty area. But Griezmann also deserves a mention for his assist!

VAR review! Here we go again. The officials are taking a long, hard look at this for what could be a handball by Busquets. The goal stands even though there was a handball there!

However, this week it emerged that Barcelona have activated an option in Puig’s contract to keep him for a further two years. They are clearly banking on Koeman’s successor being more of a fan.

Koeman was true to his word, with Puig making just two appearances off the bench in La Liga this season. There has been speculation about his future, with Arsenal reportedly interested in him.

Puig made his breakthrough towards the end of last season and was very impressive. For some reason, though, Koeman doesn’t like the young midfielder and told him to go out on loan to get game time.

Pedri has made his breakthrough this season, but one young midfielder who hasn’t enjoyed the same good fortune is Puig, who has been exiled from the first team by Koeman. Very strange.

Barcelona can't afford to get complacent here. They have been the better team and they have the lead, but Granada are a good team with the ability to hit back at the Catalans.

Ter Stegen makes the save! Granada come away on the rapid counter attack, but the Barcelona goalkeeper gets down to make the save and the Catalans one goal to the good.

PICTURE: Griezmann's goal is the difference

Umtiti is down! Uh oh! This could be a worry for Koeman. Umtiti, who has drafted into the lineup at the very last minute, has crumpled to the ground. Is this another injury for Barcelona?

This was the goal. Make your own mind up...

While the injury to Coutinho will rob Barcelona of some squad depth, the former Liverpool playmaker was struggling to hold down a place in Koeman’s lineup despite being given a second chance.

The injuries are starting to stack up for Barcelona (especially after the Araujo injury today). Of course, they are already without Ansu, but Coutinho joined the teenager on the sidelines last week, undergoing surgery that will keep him out for three months.

Barcelona have taken a grip of this game. It was crucial that they score the first goal and that's exactly what they have done. The Catalans now have something to protect.

PICTURE: Barca have an early lead

Granada are a well-drilled, well-organised side who are difficult to break down. It helps they have a goalkeeper of the quality of Silva who has been strongly linked with a move to Everton recently.

Last season was a glorious one for Granada. They were in the hunt for a Champions League place for much of the campaign and ultimately qualified for the Europa League, where they have made the last 32 this season.

Dembele fizzes one wide! The Barcelona winger was presented with a shooting opportunity, but he drags his shot wide of the far post. Dembele might have done better with that.

Indeed, Messi and Pedri appear to be on the same wavelength. They have very quickly struck up an inherent understanding. When the pair are on the pitch at the same time, Barcelona have a chance.

One of the biggest impacts Pedri has made has been on the mood and outlook of Messi. The Argentine looks to have been rejuvenated by the presence of the young talent. He’s smiling again!

There's no denying the finish from Griezmann was a good one, but surely he was offside when the pass was played? Yes, it took a huge deflection, but does that matter? Have I got the offside law wrong?

Once again, Pedri was very impressive for Barcelona in the win at San Mames. The teenager scored the equaliser for the Catalans and then set up Messi for the goal that put them 3-1 ahead.

De Jong was very impressive for Barcelona in the win over Athletic Club. The Dutchman has been playing in a much more advanced role recently and that has seen him chip in with a few goals and assists.

The scoreline actually flattered Athletic Club in the end. This was one of Barcelona’s best performances of the season so far. The way they reacted to going a goal down was very impressive.

Barcelona come into this game on the back of a 3-2 away win over Athletic Club. Koeman’s men fell behind early on, but they responded well to claim all three points at San Mames.

Big save from ter Stegen! Barcelona gave the ball away on the edge of their own box, Puertas got the drive away on goal, but ter Stegen got a hand up to make the save and push over his bar!

The pressure will be on Umtiti this evening. The Frenchman has struggled for form and fitness in recent weeks and months. How will he cope alongside Mingueza here?

The match is under way! It's Granada against Barcelona in this La Liga fixture!

Okay, here we go. We are about to get under way in Granada. Kick off is just moments away.

The two teams are in the tunnel. Of course, no supporters at this match as is the case across Europe right now.

There has been a cold snap all over Spain this week, particularly in Madrid, but it's a pleasant evening in Granada!

Late change! Araujo has injured himself in the warm up before the match and Umtiti comes into the lineup as a consequence. The Frenchman hasn't played much football of late!

Griezmann in the lineup! The Frenchman hasn't been one of Koeman's favourites recently, but he's in the Barcelona starting lineup this evening! An opportunity to impress!

I'm Graham Ruthven and you can catch me on Twitter ahead of the match to let me know your thoughts. Can Barcelona continue their unbeaten run this evening? Tweet me - @grahamruthven!

TEAM NEWS: Granada - Silva, Foulquier, German, Duarte, Neva, Eteki, Herrera, Montoro, Puertas, Machis, Soldado. /// Barcelona - Ter Stegen, Dest, Araujo, Mingueza, Alba, Busquets, De Jong, Dembele, Messi, Pedri, Griezmann.

Good evening and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Liga fixture between Granada and Barcelona. We'll bring you all the action as it happens this evening. Kick off is at 17:30 GMT.