Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from Barcelona as Espanyol welcome Celta Vigo. The home side secured their spot in the last eight of the Copa del Rey last week, but they have not won in the league since before Christmas. Celta, however, picked up a 2-1 win over Valencia last time out.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Espanyol have won two of the last five, with Celta wining once and the further two games ending in draws. As mentioned, the reverse match earlier in the season ended in a 2-2 draw, but Espanyol were 1-0 winners in the corresponding match last season.

There are four places and just three points separating the two teams this evening with Espanyol sitting in 12th on 22 points. Three of Celta’s five league wins this season have come on their travels, while Espanyol have lost four of their 10 league games in this stadium. Both of these sides are among eight or nine teams that are battling for survival this season.

TEAMS:

ESPANYOL: Casilla; Colotto, Moreno, Fuentes, Lopez; Simao, Sanchez, Abraham, Stuani; Garcia, Cordoba

CELTA: Yoel; Mallo, Fontas, Cabral, Castro; Oubina, Fernandez; Krohn-Dehli, Rafinha, Orellana; Mina

So there we have it. Still no Pizzi in the Espanyol XI, but skipper Sergio Garcia returns alongside Jhon Cordoba in attack. Celta, meanwhile, recall Santi Mina to their forward line. There are also spots for Rafinha and Michael Krohn-Dehli in forward-thinking side. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Barcelona.

Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere with the home supporters in fine voice. Fuentes shows his early intent as he breaks forward from defence, but the Espanyol left-back had moved into an offside position. It will be interesting to see how Celta approach this match. Both teams have such different styles.

Early half-chance for Celta as Rafinha wins a free kick down the right. The resulting set piece is taken by the on-loan Barcelona attacker, but Cordoba clears the danger. Krohn-Dehli delivers into the area moments later, but Colotto clears. Stuani goes down in the Celta box in the next attack, but the referee is not interested.

The free-kick count continues to rise as Mina gains a set piece from Moreno outside the Espanyol box. Mina indeed stands over the ball, but his effort is straight into the wall. Good possession from Celta inside the Espanyol half, with the home side threatening mainly on the counter inside six minutes at the El-Prat.

Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the opening nine minutes of football, but Celta have made the brighter start. In truth, they are one of the most exciting teams to watch in La Liga, but they have found clean sheets difficult to produce. Fernandez has a half-chance from a Krohn-Dehli cross moments later, but his header is cleared by Javi Lopez, who has been busy thus far.

Penalty shout from the home supporters as Garcia goes down inside the box under a challenge from Cabral, but the referee is not interested and rightly so. Moments later, Garcia turns provider for the pacey Cordoba, but the Colombian cannot beat Yoel to the ball. End-to-end football in Barcelona.

It must be said that the pitch is in perfect condition this evening, which has contributed to an entertaining start to this match. Celta continue to pass the ball in the middle of the park, but Espanyol's threat has mainly come from threaded balls towards Cordoba. Still no clear opportunities for either inside 13 minutes.

Cordoba remains the main target for the home side as Simao and Fuentes both deliver crosses into the box, but Yoel has been equal to the danger thus far. Plenty of short, incisive passing from Celta, but they have not really threatened Kiko Casilla thus far. It is the type of match that could be decided by one goal.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third, which has been the story of the match thus far. Espanyol's intensity has risen, but Celta continue to deal with each high ball into the box.

Just a reminder that Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are both in action tomorrow evening. In case you have just joined us - Real Madrid were 5-0 winners over Real Betis earlier this afternoon. As it stands, Los Blancos sit level on 50 points with the top two in Spain. The battle at the top and indeed at the bottom is just fascinating.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges, but the referee has kept a lid on proceedings thus far. That said, he has been perhaps too lenient on a number of occasions. It remains goalless with 22 minutes on the clock. Neither side has really threatened thus far in Barcelona.

The free-kick count continues to rise as the referee is forced to deal with a number of challenges in the middle of the pitch. In truth, that has been the story of the match in the last 10 minutes or so. We are in desperate need of a goal in order for things to open up. The onus is on Espanyol as the home side to force the issue.

Of the two managers, Celta's Luis Enrique will be the happier after 27 minutes of this match. If it were a boxing match, they would just about be winning on points. The away side force two corners in quick succession, but Moreno and Colotto take it in turns to clear the danger.

Plenty of short, sharp passes from both sides in their own half, but neither has been able to carry that into the final third thus far. Eventually a half-chance does fall for Mina outside the box, but he snatches at his effort and it moves wide of the post. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in this La Liga clash.

Possession football from the home side in the last couple of moments with the likes of Abraham and Sanchez enjoying plenty of the ball, but each attack continues to break down in the final third. Both defences remain on top as this half enters its latter stages. The home supporters are letting their feelings known with a series of whistles.

End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Rafinha carries possession into the Espanyol half, but he is challenged by Javi Lopez. Cordoba has a shot at goal down the other end moments later, but the Colombian had moved into an offside position. Still we await the first goal of the contest, or indeed first real chance.

Cordoba remains a threat for the home side with his pace and power, but he has been unable to fashion a clear chance in the opening 36 minutes. Espanyol force a corner through Cabral moments later, but Simao's delivery is punched clear by Yoel. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.

Well, 39 minutes on the clock and in truth, it has been a really poor half of football. Neither side has fashioned a clear shooting chance, with both defences comfortable in dealing with each high ball into the box. Celta would certainly accept a point from this particular match, but it has to be better from the home side. The supporters have started to voice their displeasure.

Half-chance for the home side as Abraham finds some space on the edge of the box before delivering a fine cross towards Garcia, but the Espanyol skipper cannot make contact at the vital moment. The tempo has risen in the last minute or two with the crowd responding. Is there to be late drama in the first period?

Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about in the last few moments with Espanyol dominating possession of the ball. Another half-chance falls to Stuani, but the home side's forward cannot connect on a low cross from Garcia. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. It has been a fairly low-key first half of football, but Espanyol have just about shaded it on their own patch. Let's hope for more of an open contest in the second 45 minutes.

STATISTICS: Celta have just about shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had five attempts, but just one has been on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with their only attempt. It is a match that could be decided by one goal, but neither has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening with the likes of Pizzi, Alex and Torje all in reserve. Meanwhile, Celta also have options in the shape of Mario Bermejo, Nolito and Madinda, but they are without Brazilian forward Charles.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. The first half was a slight non-event. Let's hope that the intensity rises in the second 45 minutes. Right, Celta get the half underway in Barcelona.

This is a match that is in desperate need of goal there is no question about that. Espanyol have made one change to their XI at the interval with Alex replacing Cordoba, which is not much of a surprise. The Colombian struggled to influence proceedings in the first period. Celta, however, are unchanged in terms of personnel in the second half.

It's good work from Garcia as the Espanyol skipper drives past two defenders before attempting to deliver a low cross into the box, but Fontas is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Celta break down the other end with Fernandez, but the Argentine cannot find the run of Mina, who had pulled clear of Moreno. Still goalless with 50 minutes on the clock.

Half-chance for Celta this time as Orellana cuts inside two defenders before striking his effort towards goal, but Moreno deflects it high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner causes concern in the Espanyol box, but Oubina's effort is blocked by a combination of Abraham and Alex.

Celta have just started to take control of the possession in the last couple of moments with the home side struggling to keep hold of the ball. The home supporters are certainly not best pleased and make their feelings known. One goal could be enough to claim all three points from this fixture.

Half-chance for the away side as Fernandez takes matters into his own hands with a mazy run and powerful effort, but his strike is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner is delivered by Orellana, but Fernandez's header is cleared by Moreno. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Barcelona.

We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. The home side have already introduced Alex in place of Cordoba, but Celta are yet to make a change. In truth, a goalless draw would not be the worst result for the away side this evening. Fernandez almost finds a way between Moreno and Colotto in the Espanyol box, but the danger is cleared at the vital moment.

Half-chance for the home side as Stuani wins his aerial battle with Mallo, it almost falls for Garcia inside the box, but Celta stopper Yoel is on hand to collect at the vital moment. The away side have a free kick down the other end moments later, but Orellana's delivery is cleared by Lopez.

Espanyol make their second change of the match as Pizzi enters the field in place of Stuani, which is a surprise. The home supporters are not too pleased with that decision that is for certain. Still no movement on the Celta bench as we approach the final 25 minutes. You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Celta continue to look the more dominant in forward areas, however, with Rafinha and Orellana having more of an influence on the match.

Celta make their first change of the match with little more than 20 minutes remaining. Nolito, who was signed last summer from Benfica, is the player introduced in place of Orellana. The Spaniard is immediately involved as he attempts to thread a pass towards Mina, but Casilla is out to claim.

A mazy run from Alex almost brings a half-chance for the home side, but Mallo is across to close the door at the vital moment. Espanyol gain a free kick outside the box moments later when Fontas fells Garcia, but once more the resulting set piece is wasted. Just not good enough from the home side.

Colotto's blushes are spared for Espanyol as he slices an effort wide of the post following a deep free kick, but the defender had been in an offside position. Simao delivers a dangerous corner into the box moments later, but Yoel rises to punch clear under pressure from Moreno. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.

Opportunity for Espanyol to threaten from a free kick as Sanchez is felled outside the box. Simao stands over the ball, but strikes it high and wide of the crossbar. Celta make their second change of the match moments later as Alex Lopez replaces Fernandez. Plenty of movement on each bench in the second period.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments as both defences remain on top this evening. In truth, neither side has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings. Celta threaten with another corner from the left, but Victor Sanchez is on hand to clear at the near post.

Celta will certainly be the happier with a point if this match does indeed finish goalless. The away side work the ball around the box with Krohn-Dehli and Nolito, but once more the final pass is short of the required quality. Little over 10 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining, with Pizzi firing into the arms of Yoel.

Well, 83 minutes into this match and there has not been a meaningful chance, let alone a goal. Celta make their third and final change with little more than five minutes remaining as 18-year-old Mina departs for Mario Bermejo, who has been out of action with a serious knee injury for most of the season. What a return it would be for the Spaniard if he could notch late on.

No shortage of effort from both sides as the end-to-end period of the match continues, but neither has had quality in the final third. One thing is for certain, Espanyol will need to improve before they welcome Real Madrid to this stadium for the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final on Tuesday evening. Little over five minutes of football remaining.

A number of the home supporters have started to make their way toward the exits with this match seemingly heading for a goalless draw. Espanyol continue to deliver high balls into the Celta box, but Mallo and Fontas have been equal to the danger thus far. Is there to be late drama in Barcelona?

Oh my word! Espanyol might have won this in the final minute as Garcia bundles his way into the box before thumping his effort into the bottom corner. It is so cruel on Celta.

It has not been pretty, but the home side are heading for a vital win, which will take them into eighth spot in the table. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side keep possession in the Celta half.

Espanyol make their third and final change with seconds remaining as Simao is replaced by Raul Rodriguez. The home side are almost there.

So there we have it. It was far from pretty, but Espanyol claim all three points following that late strike from Garcia. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!