Barcelona host Elche in a Spanish La Liga fixture as they look to get back on track following the El Clasico defeat. The Catalans will be banking on a solid home form while the visitors are struggling on their travels.
Barcelona suffered a 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid last time out in La Liga, with Fermin Lopez getting their only goal. Hansi Flick's team are now five points off the pace and will be keen to get back on track.
The good news for Barcelona is that the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has been a fortress, with five wins in the last six matches in all competitions. The Catalans eased to a 6-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Olympiacos in their previous fixture in front of their fans.
Elche are coming off a 4-0 victory over UD Los Garres in a midweek Copa Del Rey clash. That was a timely return to winning ways, having failed to secure a victory in their last three La Liga matches, suffering two defeats on this run.
Eder Sarabia's team suffered a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol in their previous La Liga fixture. That result maintains a poor record on the road for Elche, who are without an away win in La Liga this season.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona overwhelming favourites
Barcelona have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/9 by BOYLE Sports to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Elche is valued at 9/1, while a draw is offered at odds of 5/1.
Head to head: Superior Barcelona
Barcelona are often superior in this fixture, with 12 wins and one draw in the last 13 matches against Elche. The Catalans eased to a 4-0 away victory in the last meeting between both teams.
Players to watch: Lopez looking sharp
Fermin Lopez has been among the goals for Barcelona lately, scoring three times in the last two matches. The attacker will be the one to watch on Sunday (Fermin Lopez anytime goalscorer – priced at 7/5 with BOYLE Sports).
Elche have failed to score in their last two La Liga matches, and Barcelona will be targeting a shutout here. Pau Cubarsi often impressed at the back and can lead the Catalans to a clean sheet (Barcelona clean sheet – valued at odds of 6/5).
Probable line-ups:
Barcelona have a few injury problems at the moment, with Gavi, Pedri, Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski all sidelined. Ronald Araujo could come in to partner Cubarsi at the back while Ferran Torres is set to feature in attack.
Elche have no major injuries or suspensions, with Bambo Diaby the only absentee. Rafa Mir and Andre Silva should continue their partnership in attack, while Pedro Bigas is set to retain his place in defence.
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde, De Jong, Casado, Lopez, Yamal, Rashford, Torres.
Elche: Pena, Affengruber, Bigas, Petrot, Valera, Febas, Aguado, Neto, Nunez, Mir, Silva.
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have won by at least three clear goals in their last two matches against Elche (Barcelona -1 handicap – set at odds of 8/13 with BOYLE Sports. The hosts have also scored in both halves in those two fixtures (Barcelona to score in both halves – offered at 4/6).
The Catalans have won to nil in six of the last seven matches against Elche (Barcelona win to nil – available at 13/10).
GambleAware