Barcelona vs Elche

The Spotify Camp Nou plays host to Barcelona’s seemingly straightforward La Liga task against dead-last Elche.

Barcelona’s redemption path following a disappointing 2-0 defeat at arch-nemesis Bayern Munich in midweek Champions League action starts against traditional whipping boys Elche. In addition to going unbeaten in their last 19 La Liga games against this opposition (W15, D4), the Catalans haven’t lost any of their 23 historic top-flight H2Hs at Camp Nou (W16, D7). On top of that, Xavi Hernandez’s men have enjoyed a stellar league start, racking up a four-match winning streak since an underwhelming scoreless home draw with Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend. Unrelentless in the attacking third, the ‘Blaugrana’ netted precisely four goals in three of those four victories. Another high-scoring affair is well on the cards as Barcelona have scored 2+ goals in each of their last six La Liga encounters against Elche.

By contrast, the visitors have experienced a faltering start to the new La Liga campaign, picking up just one point from the opening five matches (D1, L4). Nailed to the bottom of the standings, ‘Los Franjiverdes’ are staring down the barrel of a four-game losing top-flight streak for the first time since December 2014. Elche’s poor entries see them come into proceedings as the only La Liga side alongside Cadiz yet to take the lead in Spain’s top division this term. Head coach Francisco could be on the verge of sacking unless he turns his team’s fortunes around, yet Elche’s top-flight record at Camp Nou in the 21st century spells trouble. Indeed, the Valencian minnows have lost all four La Liga visits to this venue from 2014 onwards, conceding 3+ goals on each occasion.