After a premature Champions League exit and with Barcelona seven points off the pace in LaLiga, you would be forgiven for thinking their season had been a disaster. 

But all is not what it seems at the Camp Nou, despite a difficult start to the campaign in Catalonia.  

As Barca prepare to face relegation-threatened Huesca tonight, we highlight why things may be more positive than they appear on the surface.

LaLiga form

With a game in hand on title rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, Ronald Koeman’s side can cut the gap at the top to just four points if they win this evening’s encounter with LaLiga’s basement boys.   

Both Madrid clubs have dropped points in recent weeks but Barcelona are in fine form, enjoying a 16-match unbeaten run in the league while winning 10 of their last 11 games.   

If they keep hitting the same heights, they will be well placed to take advantage of any more slip-ups in the title race.

Performances matching results?

Barcelona arguably already deserve to have more points on the board.   

If we look at the expected points table for the season so far (xP), which takes into account each club’s expected goals (xG) and expected goals against (xGA), Barcelona are currently top of the league with an xP total of 55.05 — despite playing a game less than almost everyone else in the division.   

Barca have been putting in impressive performances throughout the campaign but it is only since the turn of the year that results have matched them.

An attacking force 

The numbers behind Barcelona’s offensive play this season are staggering.  

They are Spain’s top scorers with 2.19 goals per 90 minutes, which should not be a surprise when they are also having the most shots (15.5) and shots on target (6.65) per match.  

Koeman’s outfit have created more chances (12.19) and big chances (2.31) than every other team in LaLiga, in part because they are completing more passes into the final third (194.38) than their rivals. 

Resolution in the boardroom

The chances of Lionel Messi remaining at Barcelona beyond this season were enhanced by Joan Laporta’s victory in the club’s recent presidential elections — with the Argentine believed to have voted for the winning candidate.   

Laporte, who appointed Pep Guardiola Barca boss in 2008 during his first spell, hinted at having the 33-year-old superstar's backing.  

He said: "It was very nice to see Messi vote. It’s a great proof of how much he loves Barca. I’m sure he wants to stay. 

"And yes, he has already congratulated me on my victory."

Messi still going strong

Messi is expected to match Barcelona legend Xavi’s record of 767 appearances for the club when he takes to the field against Huesca.

Ahead of tonight's game, Al-Sadd boss Xavi, 41, heaped praise on his old team-mate. He said: "It is an honour that the best player in the world, and for me in history, is the one who surpasses me. 

"Leo is like that, he's insurmountable, you can't compete with him because he always wins."

Barcelona’s serial winner will be hoping to add another title to his burgeoning collection at the end of the season — and all the evidence points to the Blaugrana having what it takes to mount a late charge for the summit.