Elche vs Barcelona live on January 24, 2021: Here's how to watch this clash live in 170+ countries

January 24, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: TV Schedules, Barcelona, Elche, La Liga

The Catalan giants, who are unbeaten in their last eight league games, take on Los Franjiverdes who are winless in La Liga since October. Here’s our preview of Elche vs Barcelona.

Elche vs Barcelona – Preview

While the memory of the Supercopa de Espana defeat against Athletic Club remains fresh in the memory of Barcelona and its fans, the overall mood surrounding the Blaugrana in La Liga has been high. The Catalan giants have stringed together a run of lovely results and will now be looking to make it four wins in a row in the Spanish top-flight when they take on relegation-battling Elche.

After a horrendous start to the season, Ronald Koeman's side find themselves in the top-four right around the half-way mark of the campaign. Crucial to this rise is their eight-game unbeaten run, last losing a league fixture six weeks ago – the surprise 2-1 defeat at Cadiz. Since then, six wins and two draws have followed, with Messi and Co. racking up a total of 20 points from a possible 24.

Thanks to this, Real Madrid are back within touching distance – the same cannot be said about league leaders Atletico who boast a 10-point advantage and a game in-hand over La Blaugrana. Koeman's side are nowhere near perfect, this was visible for all to see when they twice threw away a one-goal lead to lose 3-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final. However, many grew concerned that the club could miss out on Champions League qualification as they were outside the top four for far too long.

As for Elche, they are without a win in La Liga since October, a run of 12 straight matches without victory. However, Los Franjiverdes have two games in hand over their fellow relegation-battling teams and could thus put some distance between themselves and the danger zone. History doesn't favor them to beat Barcelona but the newly-promoted side will give the Catalan giants their all nonetheless.

Team news

Elche: Ivan Marcone is back from suspension and is expected to return to the lineup. However, Luismi, Dani Calvo, Omenuke Mfulu, Guido Carrillo, and Fidel are all sidelined.

Barcelona: Lionel Messi remains unavailable for this fixture after the Blaugrana failed their appeal against his two-match ban. Dest is also a doubt and could join Pique, Roberto, Fati, and Coutinho on the sidelines.

Key stats

Barcelona are unbeaten vs Elche in La Liga in their last 15 encounters (D4, W11), last losing to this opposition back in December 1974.
Elche have failed to score in their last eight run-ins with the Blaugrana.
Los Franjiverdes haven't won any of their last six home games (D4, L2).