Elche Face Tough Task as Champions Barcelona Come to Town

Struggling hosts look to halt winless run against title-chasing Barça

Elche could hardly have picked a more daunting opponent to try and end their winless streak than reigning champions Barcelona, who arrive full of confidence and firmly focused on defending their La Liga crown.

Team news and form

Despite a promising start to the season that saw them tipped as potential European contenders, Elche’s campaign has lost significant momentum. Just two wins from their last 14 La Liga matches (D5, L7) have dragged the newly-promoted side down the table, although there is some consolation in the fact that 10 of their last 11 points have been collected at home.

Their home form remains relatively solid, with Elche losing just one of their last 15 La Liga matches on their own turf (W7, D7). However, their record against teams currently inside the top six this season (D3, L3) suggests that even extending that run with a draw may be the best they can hope for, particularly with their three-point cushion above the relegation zone beginning to look increasingly fragile.

Barcelona were made to work hard on Wednesday, but a 4-1 comeback victory over Copenhagen secured a place in the Champions League top eight. With qualification assured and two extra February fixtures avoided, Barça can now turn their full attention to La Liga, where they start the round one point clear at the summit.

Their current form strongly suggests they can maintain that lead for another week. Barcelona have won 14 of their last 15 competitive matches (L1) and are unbeaten in 18 away La Liga games against teams from the Valencia region (W16, D2).

Head-to-head

History overwhelmingly favours Barcelona. Elche have lost 20 of the last 24 meetings between the sides (D4), including each of the last 11 encounters. Barça have also kept a clean sheet in 15 of the last 18 head-to-head matches.

Stats and trends

• Barcelona’s away league games have produced the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of any team this season (9).
  
• Barça’s away matches in La Liga average 3.91 goals per game, the highest in the division.
  
• Elche have conceded half of their home league goals this season after the 75th minute.
  
• Elche have won just half of the La Liga games in which they have scored first this season (W5, D4, L1).
  

One to watch and absences

For Elche, Grady Diangana could prove decisive late on, having scored after the 70th minute in three of his last four scoring appearances at club level.

For Barcelona, Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the previous meeting inside nine minutes, although his last five club goals have all come after half-time in wins by at least two goals.

Elche will be without Aleix Febas due to suspension, while Pedri has missed Barcelona’s last two matches and remains sidelined.