Will Barcelona extend their run?
Under new coach Xavi, FC Barcelona are on a run – will it continue this weekend? On matchday 27, Barcelona host Elche CF in Spain’s La Liga on Sunday. Elche is only thirteenth in the table, but should not be underestimated. Because Elche are also anything but in bad shape at the moment.
Nevertheless, Barça is clearly favoured, as the odds of the best bookmakers make clear. The Catalans are planning to take the three points at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, as the race for the Champions League places is extremely tight.
One slip-up in Alicante province on Sunday and Barça could slip out of the top four should rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad pick up more points than Barça this weekend. The Xavi eleven cannot afford any slip-ups and must be highly concentrated. If the Blaugrana do that, there should be little to stop them winning away at Elche vs. Barcelona, given Barcelona’s form.
Elche – Statistics & current form
FC Barcelona should not expect a sure-fire winner, however. Because Elche CF has stabilised enormously under coach Francisco Rodríguez, who was installed at the beginning of December.
Especially in the calendar year 2022, Elche is in very good form. In the past eight games, the Franjiverdes have only lost two games and won four. Little by little, Elche have climbed out of the bottom of the table and into the midfield of the La Liga table. In thirteenth place, Elche are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, and have now got rid of their biggest relegation worries for the time being.
Elche stabilise under Rodriguez – Point win also against Real Madrid
Barça should not make the mistake of taking Francisco Rodríguez’s team lightly in view of Elche’s form. That’s exactly what Real Madrid did recently, losing 2-2 in the league at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spanish record champions were almost eliminated from the cup against Elche, a match that also ended in a draw after 90 minutes, with Real even trailing 0:1 in extra time, but only just managed to turn the game around with a lot of luck.
Elche showed that you can also annoy a big team. Will the thirteenth-placed team in the standings also manage to snatch a point from Barça? With Elche against Barcelona, this tip brings odds of 4.70.
Barcelona have already shared the points seven times away from home, so it is anything but far-fetched to give your prediction on this match outcome for Elche vs. Barcelona – even if Barça are of course clearly aiming for three points in their recent form.
Predicted line-up of Elche:
Badia – Barragan, Roco, Bigas, Mojica – Marcone, Mascarell, Morente, Milla – Ponce, Boye
Last matches played by Elche:
LaLiga
02/25 2022 – Levante 3 – 0 Elche
02/18 2022 – Elche 2 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
02/11 2022 – Sevilla 2 – 0 Elche
02/05 2022 – Elche 3 – 1 Deportivo Alaves
01/23 2022 – Real Madrid 2 – 2 Elche
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
As mentioned, FC Barcelona are in really good form under Xavi. Barcelona are now undefeated in nine league games, winning six of them – and most recently in impressive fashion in each. Barça scored four goals in each of their last three La Liga victories: 4:2 against Atletico Madrid, 4:1 in Valencia, 4:0 against Athletic Bilbao were three of the last four results. And then there was the 4-2 win over SSC Napoli in the Europa League.
FC Barcelona’s self-confidence is high at the moment, and they are relaxed and confident of victory again. All this is urgently needed in the exciting battle for the Champions League places. Barça are currently in fourth place, level on points with Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad are only one point behind in sixth place and Villarreal are three points behind them in seventh place.
Barcelona again goal-hungry in Elche?
So it’s clear that nothing but three points count for Barça on Sunday. Elche vs. Barcelona attracts betting odds of 1.45 for the normal bet on the away win. Even in away games, Barça are now clear favourites given their current run of form – despite the fact that the Blaugrana have only won four of their 13 away games so far.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Ter Stegen – Alves, Araujo, Piqué, Alba – Busquets, De Jong, Pedri – Traore, Aubameyang, Dembélé
Last matches played by Barcelona:
LaLiga
02/27 2022 – Barcelona 4 – 0 Athletic Bilbao
Europa League Final Stage
02/24 2022 – SSC Napoli 2 – 4 Barcelona
LaLiga
02/20 2022 – Valencia 1 – 4 Barcelona
Europa League Final Stage
02/17 2022 – Barcelona 1 – 1 SSC Napoli
LaLiga
02/13 2022 – Espanyol 2 – 2 Barcelona
Elche – Barcelona Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
A look at the direct comparison also underpins why Barça are so clear favourites. The last victory of Elche CF dates back to 1974! Since then, there have been 20 encounters and no victory for Elche – with 16 Barcelona victories.
In fact, Barça have won each of their last seven encounters, with Elche failing to even score a goal in six of those seven matches.
Elche – Barcelona Tip
The direct comparison speaks volumes and clearly in favour of FC Barcelona, also the currently bearish form speaks in favour of the guests from Catalonia, who are firmly planning three points in Elche in the race for the CL ranks.
Even though Elche have been able to get good results and win points again and again lately, we ultimately also believe that Barcelona’s streak will continue. Xavi’s eleven simply presented itself too strong and full of self-confidence lately.
Therefore, we give our prediction for the match Elche vs Barcelona: Barça will win – and even with a handicap.
