Despite that UEFA Champions League defeat, the Catalans can take confidence from an impressive league start, with their four wins coming in the last four LaLiga games.
FC Barcelona
Bayern Munich once again proved to be an insurmountable hurdle for Barcelona, as two goals in the space of four second-half minutes condemned the Spanish giants to a 2-0 UEFA Champions League defeat. Boss Xavi lamented his side’s “lack of effectiveness”, but a shot at immediate redemption awaits, with the Barca boss knowing a ninth-straight competitive win against Elche will temporarily lift them to the La Liga summit. Despite that UEFA Champions League defeat, the Catalans can take confidence from an impressive league start, with their four wins coming in the last four LaLiga games. Each of those victories saw Barca score at least three goals, whilst conceding just one goal in total, perhaps highlighting how effective they’ve been in domestic action at least. That’s especially true in the latter stages of games, with eight of Barca’s last 15 league goals coming beyond the hour mark.
Elche
You’d have to rewind the clock to the 1960s for the last time Elche started a top-flight campaign with only a point after five games. Still, perhaps some unlikely solace is around the corner, as on one of those two previous occasions, their sixth game was a 1-1 draw against Barcelona! You would imagine the visitors would happily take a repeat, but having failed to score in three of their last five games, as well as six of the last seven competitive away H2Hs, it’s little surprise they head into this game as colossal underdogs.
After a group of fans stormed Elche’s training on Tuesday demanding a reaction, the pressure is now on coach Francisco Rodriguez to improve upon his previous H2H record against Xavi-managed Barcelona teams. Securing a shock result would require instant improvement at both ends of the pitch, given Elche have lost their last two away games by an aggregate 7-0 scoreline.
Frenkie de Jong scored Barcelona’s opener in the last LaLiga match and has three career goal contributions against Elche. He may prove to be a tricky customer for Elche ‘keeper Edgar Badia, who has conceded ten goals in four games against Barcelona. Elche have conceded first in their last ten LaLiga games.