HP Terbaru 2023 – Barcelona travel to Elche on Saturday evening

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By Matt Smith

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When the two sides met earlier in the campaign, it was a comfortable victory for Barcelona, with Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford all getting on the scoresheet that day.

Team news

Elche could be without a host of players heading into this game, with Héctor Fort and Rafa Mir out injured for the home side. Aleix Febas will also miss out due to suspension, while both Josan and Álvaro Núñez are doubts.

Meanwhile, Barcelona shouldn’t have any fresh injury concerns for their trip to Elche. Gavi, Pedri, and Andreas Christensen all remain on the treatment table.

Elche’s fascinating style

Elche are one of the most eye-catching teams in LaLiga this season. Despite only just being promoted to the top division this term, Elche are giving a fantastic account of themselves, not sitting back and absorbing pressure during games like a lot of newly promoted teams like to do.

Manager Eder Sarabia has kept his style that gained them promotion, looking to dominate possession, sticking with his key principles. In fact, only Real Madrid and Barcelona have averaged more possession than Elche this season (58.8%), an incredible achievement considering they were in LaLiga 2 last campaign. 

Barcelona can’t afford too many more slip-ups

Barcelona recently suffered a defeat against Real Sociedad away from home, helping the likes of Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid close the gap. Looking at the form of the two sides behind Barcelona, they can’t afford to make too many more slip-ups if they want to win the title.

Flick’s side have a comfortable enough cushion over Atlético, but Real Madrid are breathing down their neck right now. Barcelona have secured maximum points at home, winning 10 from 10, but they’ve failed to win four of their 11 away trips so far this season. It’s shaping up to be an exciting title race.

Fermín López – new contract?

Reports have claimed that Fermín López is edging closer to signing a new deal, and it’s no surprise considering some of the performances he’s produced in recent months. The likes of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha take a lot of the plaudits in the final third, but the job that Fermín is doing this season can’t be understated. 

Fermín made it 10 goals and assists combined in his previous eight appearances last time out, and he could be the danger man for the away side this weekend. Interestingly, Flick deployed both Dani Olmo and Fermín in the same side against FC København, so we could see plenty of firepower from Barcelona.

Prediction

Elche could pose a threat to Barcelona, having lost just once at home this season, but Barcelona should have too much in attack. We’re going for a narrow 2-1 victory for Barcelona.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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