Barcelona vs Elche Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Barcelona need a response this weekend as the frustrated Catalans try and keep touch with Real Madrid, welcoming Elche to Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Barcelona preview: Underwhelming Barca
Barcelona come into this one on the back of another average performance as the Blaugrana succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last week in a result that flattered the Catalans as they were very underwhelming.
Hansi Flick’s very aggressive high-line saw them win the title with ease last season but they have been caught out way too often this season with Inigo Martinez, key to that, having departed without being replaced over the summer.
Elche preview: Strong start
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Elche have started the campaign extremely well under the management of Eder Sarabia, with an impressive and proactive style of football, too.
Elche have suffered just two defeats in their 11 matches across all competitions so far this season, coming into this one on the back of a 4-0 hammering of Los Garres in the first round of the Copa del Rey the other day.
Barcelona team news: Pedri suspended
It appeared as though he was trying to get sent off before he eventually was and now Pedri is missing through suspension with key men such as Joan Garcia, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski sidelined for the hosts through injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Balde; De Jong, Marc Casado; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Rashford; Ferran Torres
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Joan Garcia (Injured), Pedri (Suspended), Gavi (Injured), Dani Olmo (Injured), Raphinha (Injured), Lewandowski (Injured)
Questionable: Christensen (Injured)
Elche team news: Diangana a doubt
Former West Bromwich Albion attacker Grady Diangana remains a doubt due to a hamstring injury but there are no other fresh injury concerns for the visitors.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Inaki Pena; Affengruber, Bigas, Petrot; Alvaro Nunez, Aleix Febas, Marcos Aguado, Neto, German Valera; Rafa Mir, Silva
Unavailable:
Questionable: Diangana (Injured)
Barcelona vs Elche prediction
Throughout last season, Barcelona played with a remarkably high-line and teams were unable to work it out. The signs are so far that, like Flick’s latter stage with both Bayern Munich and Germany, things have become easier to figure out. Elche are a passing team that will try and get themselves in behind with cohesive patterns and will fancy themselves to at least score, albeit Barca remain favourites with their home advantage.
Barcelona vs Elche tip: Barcelona to win & both teams to score
