Lionel Messi Barcelona
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will be the cynosure in the La Liga game against OsasunaReuters

Barcelona will look to maintain their 100 percent record when they travel to Almeria in the La Liga on Saturday.

The defending champions have got off to the now customary perfect start and with Lionel Messi and Neymar in sparkling form are clicking into top gear.

They enjoyed a comfortable win over Real Sociedad on Tuesday to make it six wins out of six in La Liga, and with Almeria struggling to make an impression, having picked up just three points all season, there really looks like being only one winner.

"They have lost a lot of late points, but they have good players, like the four strikers," Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino said of Almeria. "All teams are demanding in their own way and we have to be careful, but we clearly have a much better chance of winning if we can play our own way."

Martino understands that Barca have made a great start to their title defence, with Real Madrid, who face the other remaining perfect team in the league in Atletico Madrid later on Saturday, only just about keeping pace. But the manager also knows, this start means little if they cannot carry it forward to the end of the season.

"Winning 7 out of 7 wouldn't mean much if we don't end up winning the league," he said. "I'm more worried about where we'll be next May."

The pleasing aspect of the early part of the season has been the form of Neymar, who already seems to have formed quite an understanding with Messi. However, Martino is still cautious when it comes to using the Brazilian.

"We have to protect him and look after him, because I don't want anyone exhausted when it comes down to the definitive matches," he said. "We are being very cautious about the game with Almeria but are also thinking about the one with Celtic (in the Champions League). It's not long until the Tuesday match."

Team News: Barcelona have injury worries in defence with Javier Mascherano joining Jordi Alba in the injured list. Carles Puyol, who has returned to training from a long-term injury will not be risked yet, which means Marc Bartra is likely to lineup in the centre of defence alongside Gerard Pique.

"He (Puyol) played for about 50 minutes against the reserve lads and he did well considering he's been out for so many months ... He has got over the worst but we don't want to rush things," Martino said. "I hope that after the next (international) break, he'll be fit to play.

"Bartra has great character, impetus and the hunger to do well at Barca. He'll settle down with time and we'll be seeing the best of him in a few years' time."

Cesc Fabregas returns after being rested for the midweek game, while Ibrahim Afellay and Isaac Cuenca are sidelined for the Spanish champions.

Almeria do not have any injury worries, with Christian Fernandez returning from suspension.

Key Men: Almeria: On-loan Liverpool playmaker Suso will want to make an impression against Barcelona, and his trickery and pace could cause the Barca defence a few problems.

Barcelona: While Messi is the obvious choice, Fabregas will be keen to get a few goals and assists to his name after missing the midweek game.

Where to watch

The match is scheduled for a 9.30 p.m. (IST) start with it set for a live telecast on ESPN. You can also watch the match online by clicking the official link HERE.

Expected lineups: Almeria: Esteban; Nelson, Pellerano, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Tebar, Verza, Vidal, Suso, Rafita; Soriano.

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Sanchez, Messi, Iniesta.

Prediction: 4-0 to Barcelona