Elche and Barcelona are set to square up this August as the La Liga season kicks off with plenty of drama expected. The Catalan giants have been on top form under their coach and are looking to stamp their authority right from the first whistle. Fans in Nigeria and beyond are already buzzing about how this one might play out with Barca needing to show they can still dominate even after losing key strikers in the summer window.
Real Madrid have been busy sorting out their own issues by bringing back a familiar face from Portugal and that only adds more pressure on the Blaugrana to start with a statement result. Elche on the other hand managed to stay up last time around by the skin of their teeth and they will be hoping for another miracle at home but history shows they rarely get anything against the big boys from Catalonia.
Team Form
Barcelona have won the title two times running and they know they cannot afford any slip ups if they want to keep the pressure on their rivals. They open their campaign away from home but the squad looks sharp from pre season games where they have been banging in goals for fun.
- Elche picked up a draw in their opening fixture against Deportivo showing some fight but their defence looks shaky against quality attacks.
- Barcelona have a strong record with thirteen wins from the last fourteen meetings and they usually score at least three goals in these games.
- The loss of star forwards like Lewandowski and Torres means new faces must step up quickly to keep the scoring rate high.
Tactical Analysis
With no central strikers left in the squad the coach will likely rely on wing play and midfield runners to create chances against a packed Elche defence. The visitors have the quality to break down low blocks and their set piece routines could prove decisive if the game stays tight in the first half.
Elche will try to sit deep and hit on the counter but their recent form suggests they struggle to keep clean sheets when facing teams that press high and move the ball quickly. Expect Barcelona to control possession and create plenty of openings especially in the second half as the home side tires.
Betting Proposal
The types point to a comfortable away win for the visitors who have dominated this fixture for years. Barcelona to win by two goals or more with the handicap at 1.87 looks like the smart play for this opener.
