After defeating Real Madrid yet again, this time in the league, Barcelona are now 12 points clear at the top. It'll probably take a disaster in the form of a meteor shower to prevent them from winning the league title at this point. Confidence is high and the team are looking to complete the domestic treble, which will be an insane achievement, considering where they were the last couple of years. After what feels like forever, there's reason to believe in Barcelona again.
The same can't be said for their hosts, Elche, who are all but sure to drop to Segunda Division next season after a disastrous campaign. They're currently on their fourth manager this season, which tells you the level of instability they've been dealing with. 13 points so far the season, they are firmly rooted at the bottom of the table and will likely finish there. This game is all about them giving a good account of themselves against the best possible opponent, which will serve as a bit of a morale booster.
INTERESTING STATS
- We have to go all the way back to 1974 to find the last occasion Elche that managed to beat Barça, when Rinus Michels was on the blaugrana bench and Johan Cruyff was still playing.
- In fact, in a run dating back to 1984, Elche failed to score a single goal in ten games against Barça, which was the Catalans’ longest ever run without conceding against the same team. That run ended last season.
- Barcelona are the second-highest-scoring team in the league with 49 goals to their name.
- Elche have the worst defensive record in the league having conceded 51 goals.
Barcelona have the best defensive record in the league. They have conceded just 9 goals all season long.
- Elche have won just two matches in the entire season. Every other team in the division have won more than five matches.
- Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski has 20 goal contributions in the league.
Last five meetings
17/09/22 Barça 3 (Lewandowski 2, Memphis) Elche 0
06/03/22 Elche 1 Barça 2 (Torres, Memphis)
18/12/21 Barça 3 (Jutglà, Gavi, Nico) Elche 2
24/02/21 Barça 3 Elche 0 (Messi 2, Alba)
24/01/21 Elche 0 Barça 2 (De Jong, Puig)
TEAM NEWS
Elche
Pablo Machin was sacked after the loss to Real Sociedad before the international break and replaced by Argentinian Sebastián Beccacece, a long time assist of Jorge Sampaoli. No one will envy Sebastián in his position right now.
Elche will be missing both Pape Cheikh and Lucas Boye through suspension this weekend, while Lisandro Magallan, Enzo Roco, Alex Collado and John Donald are on the sidelines through injury. Elche do have a major boost as their leading goalscorer in the league this season (6) Pere Milla is available for this fixture.
Machin is expected to go ahead with the 3-4-3 formation which will act like the 5-3-2 for the majority of the match given the amount of ball possession the visitors are expected to have. Edgar Badia will start in goal while Helibelton Palacios, Gonzalo Verdu and Diego Gonzalez will be the back three.
Carlos Clerc and Tete Morente will play the role of wing-backs as they will start in the midfield four alongside former Barça player Gerard Gumbau and Omar Mascarell. Ezequiel Ponce and Fidel Chaves will start out wide as the wingers. Meanwhile, Pere Milla will be leading the attack for the home team.
Barcelona
The visitors will be without the services of Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Pedri through injuries. Raphinha misses through suspension. Ronald Araujo has been given the green light to be a part of the squad but is unlikely to start due to the upcoming El Clasico.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in goal.
Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso have a chance to return to the staring XI, with Koundé moving back to CB position and Sergi Roberto starting as RB. Sergio Busquets will once again start as the holding midfielder, while Franck Kessie and Gavi will be in his support.
Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati are more than likely to start, both with a point to prove. Robert Lewandowski will lead the attack as he looks to break his current drought in front of goal.
We could see some debuts as well, in the form of Garrido and Estanis. Torre, Alarcón and Casadó could also feature.
Where and when are Elche vs Barcelona playing?
Location: Elche, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero
Date: Saturday 1 April
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PST, 21:00 🇳🇬
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande
What a mismatch, eh? 55 points separate the two teams, the largest gap between first and last at this stage of the season in La Liga History. That says it all about who's the favorite to win this one, even with injuries to key players.
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