Barcelona Storm into Elche Showdown: Team Lineups and Bold Match Predictions Revealed
Barcelona aims to secure consecutive La Liga victories to revitalize their championship pursuit when they travel to face Elche this Saturday evening.
Hansi Flick's squad has been exceptional in domestic competition over the past three months, claiming victory in 10 of their most recent 11 La Liga fixtures. Nevertheless, Barcelona maintains only a single-point advantage over Real Madrid at the summit of the table heading into the weekend, making this a fixture where any misstep could prove costly.
Elche has shown remarkable form for a recently promoted team, though their winless streak across the last four matches leaves them merely three points above the drop zone. Playing at home, however, they'll be determined to overcome the Catalans for the first time since 1974.
Barcelona's triumph against Elche in the earlier meeting this past November sparked their remarkable winning streak. Now, they'll be hoping that a favorable outcome on Saturday propels their campaign for consecutive La Liga championships.
Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive preview of this La Liga encounter.
What Time Does Elche vs. Barcelona Kick Off?
What Time Does Elche vs. Barcelona Kick Off?
Elche vs. Barcelona Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Elche vs. Barcelona Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Elche (LDLDL) | Barcelona (WWWLW) |
|---|---|
Levante 3–2 Elche | Barcelona 4–1 Copenhagen |
Elche 2–2 Sevilla | Barcelona 3–0 Real Oviedo |
Real Betis 2–1 Elche | Slavia Prague 2–4 Barcelona |
Valencia 1–1 Elche | Real Sociedad 2–1 Barcelona |
Elche 1–3 Villarreal | Racing 0–2 Barcelona |
How to Watch Elche vs. Barcelona on TV, Live Stream
How to Watch Elche vs. Barcelona on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | ESPN Select, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
United Kingdom | Disney+ Premium, Premier Sports Player |
Canada | TSN+ |
Mexico | Sky Sports Mexico, Sky+ |
Elche Team News
Elche Team News
Eder Sarabia's team faces several injury concerns, with Álvaro Núñez, Josan and Barcelona loanee Héctor Fort all unavailable. The most significant absence will be team captain Aleix Febas, who received a suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
On a positive note for Elche, Rafa Mir and André Silva may return from injury, with Silva being a strong contender to start alongside former Real Madrid prospect Álvaro Rodríguez in attack.
While Fort cannot play against his parent club, goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who served as Barcelona's first-choice keeper early in the Flick tenure, will be motivated to record Barcelona's first La Liga clean sheet against them in 13 months.
Elche Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona
Elche Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona
Elche predicted lineup vs. Barcelona (5-3-2): Peña; Pedrosa, Chust, Affengruber, Pétrot, Valera; Diangana, Aguado, Neto; Rodríguez, Silva.
Barcelona Team News
Barcelona Team News
Flick is anticipated to rotate his squad from Wednesday's Champions League encounter against Copenhagen, seeking to rejuvenate his starting eleven after deploying an attacking-heavy formation in midweek.
Pedri continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, but Frenkie de Jong will reclaim his customary midfield role after serving a suspension that kept him out of Wednesday's match. He may be paired with 18-year-old Marc Bernal, who has impressed in recent substitute appearances. Additionally, his inclusion would enable Eric García to move back to central defense.
In other areas, Ferran Torres has returned to availability and will probably take Robert Lewandowski's place as striker, with Dani Olmo playing in support as Fermín López, who recently extended his contract, receives a breather.
January acquisition João Cancelo was ineligible for Champions League group stage matches, so Flick might give him another opportunity in league play, potentially at right-back in place of Jules Koundé.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Elche
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Elche
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Elche (4-2-3-1): García; Cancelo, Cubarsí, García, Balde; De Jong, Bernal; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres.
Elche vs. Barcelona Score Prediction
Elche vs. Barcelona Score Prediction
Barcelona's defensive frailties from the season's start have reemerged lately, transforming them back into a team that appears susceptible whenever opposition attacks reach dangerous areas. Nonetheless, they've been utterly ruthless in their offensive play, with goals flowing freely once they establish an advantage.
Facing a defensively fragile Elche side hampered by key absences, Barcelona should manage to return to Catalonia with maximum points. While challenges await, Flick's team possesses too much quality for the home side to contain.
Prediction: Elche 1–3 Barcelona