PREVIEW | Elche v FC Barcelona

Following the 2-1 win over Real Madrid, Barça are now a massive 12 points clear at the top of the Liga table in a season in which they have only lost two games and have conceded just 9 goals.

At the other end of the spectrum, Elche find themselves 13 points adrift at the foot of the table, having only won two of the 26 games played so far.

The teams that meet at the Estadio Martínez Valero on Saturday at 9pm CET are in vastly contrasting situations. While many Culers are already daring to suggest that it is just a matter of time before the Catalans are confirmed as champions, Elche supporters are beginning to accept the inevitability of second division football in 2023/24.

But there are still 12 rounds of matches to be played. Barça still need to win games to protect their big lead, and Elche still have plenty of opportunities to start collecting desperately needed points. Stranger things have happened in football.

Changes at Elche

This game has 'potential banana skin' written all over it. In an attempt to finally turn things around, Elche have just secured the services of their fourth different coach this season (and that's not including a couple of caretakers too). Sebastián Beccacece, who has assisted his fellow Argentinian Jorge Sampaoli in a number of positions over the years including the Chile and Argentina national teams, has replaced the ousted Pablo Machín.

This is not only his first ever game in charge but his first ever as manager of a European club. And what a way to start a new job! Against none other than FC Barcelona! He's taken over a team that has absolutely nothing to lose. There is a popular saying in Spanish football that says 'new manger, guaranteed victory'. That said, apart from Francisco Rodríguez in 2021, no other debutant Elche manager has managed to win their first Liga game in charge since Roque Olsen way back in 1973.

Team news

And Barça are coming into this game with a number of injury concerns. Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri are already major losses, but there are four new difficulties for Xavi to contend with.

Andreas Christensen had to return home early from the Danish camp with a soleus problem. But Ronald Araujo has recovered from the injury sustained in the Clásico and is back in the squad. That's great news because nobody wants to go into a game with two key defenders out.

Frenkie de Jong also came back from international duty with a hamstring issue, and to make matters worse, the in-form Raphinha will have to sit this game out too after picking up a yellow card suspension against Real Madrid.

But it does mean chances for younger players, including a first-ever call-up for reserve team midfielder Aleix Garrido.

Did you know?

Barça have not lost to Elche in any of the last 20 meetings, including nine on the road.

Elche has former Barça player Gerard Gumbau among its ranks. The midfielder, who has also played for Girona and Leganés, leads the team for assists (4) this season. Alex Collado is another familiar face, but he's been our injured for most of the present campaign.

Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the 3-0 win at Spotify Camp Nou earlier this season. So far, Cádiz is the only team he has scored against in both fixtures this season. Can he claim a second double-victim on Saturday?

Xavi says

"It's never easy to know what to expect against a team that has just changed manager. We have analysed how his previous teams have played. This could be harder than people think. They are extremely motivated and we need to avoid thinking our job is already done."

"It's hard for Jordi Alba because he is used to playing all the time. But he is going to be important in the next few games."

"I'd have picked Aleix Garrido before had it not been for his ankle injury. He's a talented player and can make the killer pass that we've been missing with Pedri out."

"Araujo only started training again today. We'll have a good talk with him tomorrow and see if he's ready to play."