Will ter Stegen keep the zero again?
After a 2-1 home win in the “El Clasico”, there is no longer any doubt and the champion this season will come from Barcelona. Although there are still twelve games to go, with a twelve-point lead over their arch-rivals, there will be no more suspense.
This weekend, everything points to the next victory for Lewandowski & Co. At the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium, it will be a duel between “David and Goliath”. The bottom team receives the league leader – with Elche against Barcelona there is not too much risk in betting on the visitors.
This weekend everything points to the next victory for Lewandowski & Co. At the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium, it comes to the duel between “David and Goliath”. The bottom team receives the league leader – with Elche against Barcelona there is not too much risk in betting on the visitors.
Elche can already start planning for LaLiga 2 and enjoy games like the one against the designated champions. After all, they have nothing to lose and can only surprise in a positive way. The match kicks off on Saturday evening at 9pm.
Elks – statistics & current form
The club management of Elche Club de Futbol, a city from the Valencia region, definitely do not get the accusation of having tried everything. After three years, however, the adventure in the Spanish top flight will come to an abrupt end, because even at this stage of the season, staying in the league is only mathematically possible. In the 26 games played so far, the club has collected 13 points. The gap between them and the save shore is now even greater than their own points tally – 14 points.
27th game – sixth coach
Why everything was tried though? The motto “A new broom sweeps well” has been applied quite a few times, but none of the brooms – or rather head coaches at the relegation-threatened club – were really satisfactory. On Saturday evening, the Argentine Sebastian Beccacece will take his place on Elche’s coaching bench. Never heard of him? Not surprising, since Elche is the 42-year-old head coach’s first European stop. In the past, he was often Jorge Sampaoli’s co-coach and gained a lot of experience there.
For Elche, it is already the sixth person to take charge at a LaLiga game in 2022/23. The constant coaching changes did not bring success and continuity was not present this season. The bare numbers are devastating, winning just two games this season (against Villarreal and Mallorca). With only 19 goals scored and 51 conceded, the club has the worst record in the league in both categories. Relegation will fall into the “highly deserved” category.
Recently, however, Elche have managed to stabilise their defence a little. In the last three games and in four of the last five league games, respectively, there were a maximum of two goals to be seen. With the Catalans lacking goal festivals this season, the odds for the prediction on the under 2.5 in Elche vs. Barcelona are definitely worth considering.
Last games played by Elche:
La Liga
19/03/2023 – Real Sociedad 2 – 0 Elche
11/03/2023 – Elche 1 – 1 Real Valladolid
05/03/2023 – Mallorca 0 – 1 Elche
25/02/2023 – Elche 2 – 3 Real Betis
19/02/2023 – Elche 0 – 1 Espanyol
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
The 27th title win in the Spanish LaLiga should only be a formality for the team of ex-pro Xavi. With 68 points from 26 league games, the Catalans have an almost flawless record. Only in the 2010/11 season could Barcelona boast an even better tally (71 points).
Compared to the previous year, they are currently up by 20 points. Nevertheless, the situation at the top club is anything but satisfactory. In view of the disgraceful performances on the international stage, the sovereign performance in LaLiga is only a small consolation.
Lewandowski criticises style of play
The financial problems are still there and just recently the league made a splash by cancelling the contract extension of shooting star Gavi. As things stand, Gavi would be available on a free transfer in the summer. Meanwhile, FC Bayern Munich are said to be in pole position for the youngster. In view of the salary structure, Barcelona is facing major problems and could sell king transfer Lewandowski again in the summer of 2023. With 15 goals in the season, the Pole is the top scorer, but the bosses are not really satisfied with his performances. There has already been speculation about a possible sale.
And “Lewy” is not 100% happy either, because Xavi’s philosophy is not tailor-made for him. A lot of possession, quick short passing – the resurrection of Tiki Taka. Discipline is nevertheless at the top of the list. It is not for nothing that Marc-Andre ter Stegen has only had to make nine saves this season. The team has won no fewer than twelve of its 22 games this season by a one-goal margin.
Barcelona have managed to keep a clean sheet an incredible 19 times this season. It is therefore all the more surprising that odds of over 2.00 are being offered for a bet on another win without conceding a goal in the match between Elche and Barcelona. There is definitely value in such a bet. Also the tip “Both teams score? No” is also a good option.
Last Barcelona games:
La Liga
20/03/2023 – FC Barcelona 2 – 1 Real Madrid
13/03/2023 – Athletic Bilbao 0 – 1 FC Barcelona
05/03/2023 – FC Barcelona 1 – 0 Valencia
Copa del Rey
03/03/2023 – Real Madrid 0 – 1 FC Barcelona
La Liga
27/02/2023 – Almeria 1 – 0 FC Barcelona
Almeria – Barcelona Direct comparison / H2H balance
Not surprisingly, the direct comparison in this encounter speaks a very clear language. Since Elche’s return to LaLiga, there have been five matches between the two teams. The Catalan favourites have not shown any weakness so far and have won all five games. In the first leg in mid-September, Barcelona had an easy game at the Camp Nou, as the promoted team was decimated from minute 14 onwards. In the end, the Xavi eleven celebrated an unchallenged 3-0 home victory. It was the 27th win in the 47th LaLiga duel for the Catalans against Elche.
Elche – Barcelona Tip
A debut against the sheer league leaders – Argentine Beccacece is by no means to be envied on Saturday night. Expectations could hardly be lower and a point win would be a huge surprise. However, there are no signs of that becoming a reality and between Elche and Barcelona, tips are recommended in the direction of the designated champions.
On the road to the championship, the Xavi eleven is convincing with an outstanding defence (nine goals conceded) and has kept a clean sheet no less than 19. The home side, however, have the weakest attack in the league (19 goals).
Between Elche and Barcelona, you can bet more than twice as much on the next Barcelona win without conceding a goal. A stake of six units is justified for this bet. Derived from this, the bet “Both teams score? No” is also one of our top tips.
