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

Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of the table to four points (Getty)

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

Key Points

• Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Malcom, Luis Suárez, Messi.
• Betis XI: Pau Lopez; Tello, Mandi, Bartra, Sidnie, Junior; Guardado, William Carvalho, Lo Celso, Joaquín; Loren.

[11 November 2018 15:29 · Kieran Jackson]

12 minutes

First sign of Messi coming to life. He brilliantly skips past two challenges, but his goal-bound shot is blocked in the box. 

[11 November 2018 15:34 · Kieran Jackson]

15 minutes 

Messi links up intricately with Suarez in the box, but Suarez is pushed out wide by the Betis defence. Incredibly, the referee doesn't give what was a clear corner. 

[11 November 2018 15:37 · Kieran Jackson]

GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Real Betis, 20 minutes

Betis take a shock lead here, and what a brilliant goal by Junior Firpo! 

The Spaniard gets behind the Barcelona defence on the left, and after beating Sergi Roberto with a few stepovers, he beats ter Stegen at his near post. 

[11 November 2018 15:41 · Kieran Jackson]

22 minutes

Betis are almost in again, as Firpo finds himself in plenty of space on the left, but this time his shot is blocked. Barcelona on the back foot here. 

[11 November 2018 15:42 · Kieran Jackson]

24 minutes

Yellow card for Betis midfielder Andres Guardado, who cynically brings down Messi. 

[11 November 2018 15:44 · Kieran Jackson]

25 minutes 

From the resulting free-kick, Messi's cross finds Clement Lenglet whose improvised volley is well saved by Betis keeper Pau Lopez high to his right. 

[11 November 2018 15:45 · Kieran Jackson]

27 minutes 

The stage is set for Messi with another free kick 30 yards out, but his shot deflects off the wall safely into Lopez's hands. 

[11 November 2018 15:51 · Kieran Jackson]

30 minutes

Betis have two great chances in the space of a minute!

First, ex-Barca player Christian Tello's shot is well saved by ter Stegen before Joaquin's finish goes just wide. 

[11 November 2018 15:53 · Kieran Jackson]

GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Real Betis, 34 minutes

Betis have their second, and you have to say they deserve it!

It's Joaquin who this time finishes from 12 yards out after being found unmarked by Tello's cross.

Is an upset on the cards here at the Nou Camp?

[11 November 2018 15:58 · Kieran Jackson]

39 minutes

Betis are getting in behind Barca's defence at will and this time it's Loren Moren whose right-footed shot goes just wide of ter Stegen's right-hand post.