Barcelona travel to Elche on Saturday evening

By Matt Smith

When the two teams met earlier in the campaign, it was a comfortable victory for Barcelona, ​​with Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford getting on the scoresheet that day.

Team News

Elche could be without a host of players ahead of this match, with Héctor Fort and Rafa Mir injured for the home side. Aleix Febas will also miss out due to suspension, while Josan and Álvaro Núñez are doubtful.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are unlikely to have any further injury concerns for their trip to Elche. Gavi, Pedri and Andreas Christensen all remain on the treatment table.

The fascinating style of Elche

Elche are one of the most striking teams in La Liga this season. Despite having only just been promoted to the First Division this season, Elche give a fantastic account of themselves, not sitting idly by and absorbing pressure during matches like many newly promoted teams like to do.

Coach Eder Sarabia has maintained the style that won them promotion, seeking to dominate possession, remaining true to his key principles. In fact, only Real Madrid and Barcelona have averaged more possession than Elche this season (58.8%), an incredible feat considering they were in Liga 2 last campaign.

Barcelona cannot afford too many more slip-ups

Barcelona recently suffered a defeat against Real Sociedad away, helping Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid narrow the gap. Given the form of the two teams behind Barcelona, ​​they cannot afford to make too many more mistakes if they want to win the title.

Flick’s team has a pretty comfortable cushion against Atlético, but Real Madrid are breathing down their necks at the moment. Barcelona have secured maximum points at home, winning 10 out of 10, but have failed to win four of their 11 away trips so far this season. This is shaping up to be an exciting title race.

Fermín López – new contract?

Reports claim that Fermín López is close to signing a new deal, and that’s no surprise considering some of the performances he’s produced in recent months. Players like Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha receive plenty of plaudits in the final third, but the work Fermín is doing this season cannot be underestimated.

Fermín scored 10 goals and assists in his previous eight appearances last time out, and he could be the dangerous man for the away team this weekend. Interestingly, Flick deployed Dani Olmo and Fermín in the same team against FC København, so we could see plenty of Barcelona firepower.

Prediction

Elche could pose a threat to Barcelona, ​​having lost only once at home this season, but Barcelona should have too many in attack. We are aiming for a close 2-1 victory for Barcelona.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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