Match Previews

Elche vs Barcelona match preview: Possible lineups, team news, match facts, prediction

Published

5 years ago

05/03/2022

Date and Time: 6th March, 4:15 PM CET
Venue: Estadio Martinez Valero
Competition: La Liga
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez

Overview

At the time of Ronald Koeman’s sacking, a top-four finish in La Liga seemed like a distant dream. The team languished below the likes of Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Villarreal as the ship seemed destined to sink. The turnaround since then has been nothing short of remarkable.

In their last five games, Barcelona have scored fifteen goals and won on three occasions. All of a sudden, the team threaten to displace Real Betis from the third spot on the league standings and knock on Sevilla’s door. A win on Sunday vs Elche would take Xavi’s side just seven points behind the second-placed team with a game in hand.

What to expect from Elche?

Francisco Rodriguez’s side have endured a mixed campaign so far in 2021-22. While the team are not under any immediate threat of relegation, they have been far from where they would have liked to be.

In 26 league appearances this season, Los Franjiverdes have only won seven games. They have conceded 37 goals while only finding the back of the net 28 times themselves. However, their draw against Real Madrid in January is a testament to their abilities.

Edgar Badia will probably man the goalpost on the night for Rodriguez’s side against Barcelona. The Spaniard averages 3.2 saves per game but has only maintained two clean sheets in 14 games.

Can Badia rescue his team? (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Such statistics bring the light onto the centre-back pairing, who have not been at their best. Enzo Roco and Pedro Bigas are expected to be the central defenders on Sunday and will look to turn around their poor form.

Antonio Barragan has a good display against Levante with two clearances, an interception and a key pass. He will cover the right-back position on the night while Johan Mojica takes over duties at left-back.

The four-man midfield in Rodriguez’s system will likely see a double pivot, with Omar Mascarell and Raul Guti operating it. Gerard Gumbau has made a strong case to start ahead of the latter, but his red card against Levante sees him miss the clash against Xavi’s side.

On the right side of midfield, Tete Morente will look to come back strong after a recent slump in form. Meanwhile, Pere Milla will be the player with the spotlight on him. The left midfielder has four goal contributions in his last five games, making him one of Elche’s best players.

The forward line will see the duo of Lucas Boye and Guido Carrillo. The former has been Elche’s most lethal player on the field and was also linked with a move to Barcelona in the winter transfer window.

Probable Elche XI: Badia; Barragan, Roco, Bigas, Mojica; Morente, Mascarell, Guti, Milla; Boye, Carrillo

What to expect from Barcelona?

The game against Athletic Club was anticipated to be a difficult mountain to climb for Xavi’s side, especially given the form of the Basque team. Less than a month ago, the Bilbao based side knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey. Yet, the game at Camp Nou was a no-contest. Xavi’s side cruised past Marcelino’s side with ease in a 4-0 rout at home.

Heading into the Estadio Martinez Valero, Barcelona are in good spirits and sensational form. To say they are the favourites would be an understatement, and that could play into Xavi’s mind when selecting the lineup.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen made three crucial saves from inside the box last week and will look to maintain a second consecutive clean sheet. A rejuvenated pairing of Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo will return as the centre-backs on the night after a week off.

At right-back, Xavi has a difficult choice to make. However, Dani Alves‘ exclusion from the Europa League squad could see him receive the start in the league game over Sergino Dest. After serving his one-game suspension against Athletic Club, Jordi Alba will return to Barcelona’s left-flank as the full-back.

Alback. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Xavi is spoilt for options in midfield. However, his rotation policy could provide hints as to his selection on the night. Given that the crucial clash against Galatasaray is just four days after the game tomorrow, the manager could opt to rest Sergio Busquets. Nico Gonzalez could join Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in midfield on the night.

Much like Busquets, Ferran Torres, too, is expected to be rotated. His spot on the left wing will be taken by Memphis Depay, who scored on his return last week. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele are expected to round up the lineup.

Probable Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Alves, Araujo, Pique, Alba; Pedri, de Jong, Nico; Dembele, Aubameyang, Memphis

Marquee Player

Lucas Boye

Can Boye haunt Barcelona? (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

Lucas Boye is no new name in Catalonia, for the Argentine was viewed as a transfer target for Barcelona in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old has taken La Liga by storm, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just 17 starts.

In Elche’s last six games, he has scored thrice and assisted as many. Moreover, he was the pillar for his team in their draw against Los Blancos as he produced a goal and an assist against Ancelotti’s side. Needless to say, he will be the biggest threat for Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Match facts

Elche previous games: LWLWD

Barcelona previous games: WWWDD

Head-to-head record

Key Stats

Barcelona have won their last eight games against Elche.
Elche have conceded first in four of their last five games.
Elche have not maintained a clean sheet in their last five games.
Barcelona have scored 18 goals in their last five games against Elche.
Seven of the last eight clashes between these two sides have had a first-half winner

Prediction

An in-form Barcelona should have no problems breaking down the dysfunctional Elche defence on the night. The Catalans will have to vary of the occasional counter but expect a goal-fest and a relatively comfortable win.

Barca Universal prediction: Elche 0-4 Barcelona

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