Barça head to Elche looking to cement top spot in La Liga
Flick's side visit Martínez Valero with De Jong and Cancelo back in the squad, while Elche aim to bounce back from poor recent form and push for European spots.
Barcelona travel to Elche this Saturday looking to strengthen their position at the La Liga summit, with Real Madrid not in action until Sunday against Rayo Vallecano.
Team News
Hansi Flick’s men are riding high after securing their place in the Champions League Top 8, and the German gaffer receives a double boost for the trip to Martínez Valero:
- Frenkie de Jong returns to the fold after missing the Oviedo match through suspension
- João Cancelo is back in contention after being ineligible for European duties
The visitors remain without long-term absentees Gavi, Christensen and Pedri as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Hosts in Need of Points
Elche’s European ambitions have taken a knock in recent weeks, with the home side collecting just two points from their last four matches. Their cause isn’t helped by the suspension of Aleix Febas for Saturday’s clash.
The hosts will be desperate to turn their form around against the league leaders, but they’ll have their work cut out against a Barça side growing in confidence under Flick’s stewardship.
Expected Line-ups
Elche (probable): Iñaki Peña; Víctor Chust, Affengruber, Petrot; Pedrosa, M. Neto, Marc Aguado, Diangana, Germán Valera; Yago de Santiago, Álvaro Rodríguez
Barcelona (probable): Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Balde; De Jong, Casadó; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran
It’s shaping up to be a proper Bobby Moore of a contest as Barcelona look to put the pressure on their title rivals, while Elche aim to reignite their European push.