Barcelona will look to get again to profitable methods in La Liga after they host Elche on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night.
The Catalan facet are at the moment second within the desk, 5 factors behind leaders Actual Madrid, whereas Elche have exceeded expectations since returning to the highest flight and sit eighth.
Hansi Flick’s workforce have misplaced two of their final three league matches, together with a 2-1 defeat to Actual Madrid in El Clasico final weekend. That consequence elevated the stress on the defending champions, who may very well be as many as eight factors adrift of prime spot earlier than kick-off if Madrid win earlier within the day.
Regardless of a latest dip in outcomes, Barcelona stay the league’s prime scorers with 25 objectives from 10 video games. They’ve additionally made a stable begin in Europe, profitable two of their three Champions League fixtures within the new league section, with victories over Newcastle and Olympiacos both facet of a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Catalans will need to rebuild confidence forward of their subsequent European match away to Membership Brugge on November 5.
Historical past is firmly on their facet on this fixture, with 34 wins from 55 conferences towards Elche and no house defeats to their opponents in any competitors.
Elche, in the meantime, have loved a powerful begin underneath Eder Sarabia, gathering 14 factors from their opening 10 league video games. They arrive into this fixture on the again of a 4-0 win over UD Los Garres within the Copa del Rey however misplaced 1-0 to Espanyol of their final La Liga outing.
Though they’ve proven resilience this season, the guests are nonetheless looking for their first away win of the marketing campaign after drawing three and dropping two of their 5 video games on the highway.
Barcelona v Elche workforce information
Barcelona have been handed a double increase with Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo returning to coaching this week following accidents.
Each are anticipated to function within the matchday squad. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia can be nearing a comeback from a knee downside however is not going to be risked simply but.
A number of key gamers stay sidelined for Flick’s facet, together with Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Pedri.
Marc Casado is more likely to proceed in midfield in Pedri’s absence. There are additionally minor issues over Lamine Yamal, who’s managing a groin problem, however the teenager is anticipated to start out in assault.
Elche don’t have any damage issues and will have a full-strength squad obtainable. Andre Silva, who has scored 4 objectives in all competitions, will as soon as once more lead the road.
On-loan Barcelona full-back Hector Fort returned from damage within the 4-0 win at sixth-tier facet Los Garres within the first spherical of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday however was substituted after 58 minutes.
“Hector is getting back from an damage and I feel it would simply be fatigue,” mentioned supervisor Eder Sarabia, by way of AS. “It gained’t be something critical.”
Barcelona v Elche anticipated line-ups
Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Yamal, F Lopez, Rashford; Torres
Elche: Pena; Chust, Affengruber, Bigas; Nunez, Mendoza, Febas, Aguado, Valera; Silva, Mir
Find out how to watch Barcelona v Elche: TV channel, on-line stream
The La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Elche is on Sunday at 17:30 GMT (13:30 ET / 11:30 PT) and will probably be broadcast stay on ESPN+ for viewers in the US.
Followers in the UK can watch the match on Viaplay Sports activities, whereas protection in Spain will probably be offered by Movistar LaLiga.
The sport may even be obtainable to stream by way of the ESPN+ app within the US and thru the Viaplay app within the UK, each providing full pre-match and post-match evaluation.
Barcelona v Elche stats
- Barcelona have scored 25 objectives of their 10 league matches to this point, essentially the most in La Liga this season
- The Catalan facet have gained 4 of their 5 house video games within the league
- Barcelona have misplaced two of their final three La Liga fixtures, each by a single-goal margin
- Elche have collected 14 factors from their first 10 video games, with three wins, 5 attracts and two defeats
- The guests have but to win away from house this season, drawing three and dropping two on the highway
- Barcelona are unbeaten in all house conferences with Elche, profitable 34 of the 55 complete matches between the perimeters
- The Catalans have gained the final ten encounters towards Elche in all competitions
- The final time the groups met, Barcelona gained 4-0 at house and 3-0 away throughout the 2022-23 season
Barcelona v Elche prediction
Elche have proven enchancment since returning to the highest flight and will make this aggressive, notably given Barcelona’s latest inconsistency.
Nonetheless, Flick’s facet have an excessive amount of attacking energy and will probably be wanting to ship a response after El Clasico disappointment.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Elche