Barcelona vs. Eibar: Key Issues That Will Shape La Liga Game

Barcelona take on La Liga new boys Eibar on Saturday in a true David vs. Goliath tussle.

To give some sort of perspective, the entire Basque town would fit inside Barca's Camp Nou...and leave around 60,000 empty seats!

Far from being overawed in their debut campaign in the top flight, however, Eibar have attacked each opponent with vigour and shown they are ready to mix it with the best of them.

Away against a Barca side yet to concede presents their stiffest test yet so let's take a look at a few issues that may shape the outcome of this one...

Messi on the Prowl for All-Time Record

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

A hat-trick will catapult Lionel Messi into the history books again.

Lionel Messi is a dangerous customer at the best of times, let alone when he has a record in his sights.

Just two goals will draw him level with Telmo Zarra's mark of 251 league goals, and a hat-trick will see him out on his own as the player to have scored the most league goals in history.

Whilst it's unlikely that Eibar will let him have things all his own way, the Basques may well find it hard to contain the Argentine for the full 90 minutes.

Eibar's Fearlessness

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

EIbar held their own for long period at the Vicente Calderon.

If their performance at Atletico Madrid was anything to go by then Eibar will approach this one without fear.

What a refreshing change to see a team willing to stand toe-to-toe with the best exponents and not only that but to give them a fair old game, too.

Barca absolutely need to be on their guard for complacency because Eibar have already shown in spades that they are no respecter of reputations.

Bravo to Sit This One Out?

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Luis Enrique may decide to give Claudio Bravo a rest.

Seven shutouts already this season shows just how well Barca's custodian and his defence have fared.

Claudio Bravo already has the Spanish league record for clean sheets since the start of a season, but Luis Enrique may prefer Marc-Andre ter Stegen over the Chilean.

That's because Bravo is arguably the more in-form keeper at the club at the moment and with Champions League and the Clasico looming over the course of the next week, Lucho is likely to want his best exponents in the starting XI for those games.

Work Rate the Key

What Eibar lack in terms of skill, they more than make up for in terms of work ethic.

Non-stop running and a never-say-die attitude right up until the final whistle has been a feature of their play this season.

More than once they've looked dead and buried in a game, only for that incredible will to win to surface. Against Levante last time out is a particular case in point.

Two-nil down at home, Saul Berjon's wonder goal was worthy of sharing the spoils. After going behind again, a late goal salvaged something from the game.

Against Athletic Bilbao, too, five yellow cards evidence a steely determination to get the job done.

Barcelona will need to match their visitors with commitment and desire of their own to come out of this one with the three points.

The Threat of Javi Lara

Eibar is Javi Lara's 13th club in 10 seasons but he will always be remembered for scoring the Basque club's first ever goal in the top flight.

The first summer signing of the new era, Lara has shown he is more than just a dead-ball specialist.

Many of Eibar's attacking forays are directed through Lara and if Barca can mark him out of the game, there is significantly less threat from the away side.