Barcelona vs Elche: How to watch on TV live stream, team news, lineups & prediction
Barcelona host La Liga strugglers Elche in the Spanish top flight on Saturday afternoon.
The Catalan behemoths suffered their first defeat of the campaign in midweek, losing 2-0 to Bayern Munich despite creating a host of chances in the Allianz Arena which left manager Xavi Hernandez "fuming".
Elche operate in a different realm entirely. With just two goals and one point to their name this term, only Cadiz - who Barcelona swept aside 4-0 last weekend - have endured a worse start to the Spanish season.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between these contrasting clubs.
Where are Barcelona vs Elche playing?
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou
- Date: Saturday 17 September
- Kick-off Time: 15:15 BST / 10:15 EST / 07:15 PST
- VAR: TBC
- Referee: TBC
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Elche in the UK?
- Channel: BT Sport Score (Studio Updates Only)
- Channel: BBC Final Score (Studio Updates Only)
- Broadcast Time: 15:00 (BST)
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Elche in The United States?
- Streaming Service: ESPN+
- Broadcast Time EST: 10:15
- Broadcast Time PST: 07:15
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Elche in Canada?
- Streaming Service: TSN
- Broadcast Time (EST): 10:15
Where can you watch Barcelona vs Elche Highlights?
- Channel: Premier Sports
- Stream: La Liga YouTube channel
Barcelona vs Elche H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Barcelona: 5 Wins
Elche: 0 Wins
Draws: 0
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Barcelona: WWWWL
Elche: LDLLL
Barcelona team news
Xavi is expected to have a full complement of players to select from for the return to domestic duties. The 42-year-old coach shuffled his pack for the trip to Cadiz last weekend and may not overload his first-choice XI with a busy pre-World Cup calendar to manage.
That could mean the likes of Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Gavi and Raphinha have to settle for a place on the bench.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Elche
Barcelona Starting 11: Ter Stegen; Bellerin, Araujo, Garcia, Balde; Kessie, De Jong, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Torres.
Bench: Pena, Raphinha, Gavi, Fati, Christensen, Pique, Alonso, Alba, Kounde.
Elche team news
Gerard Gumbau was forced off with a hamstring problem during Elche's 4-1 surrender at home to Athletic Club last weekend. Club captain Gonzalo Verdu has been out since the first week of May and isn't expected to have recovered from a groin problem by Saturday.
Elche predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Elche Starting 11: Badia; Lirola, Roco, Bigas, N Fernandez; Collado, Mascarell, Quina, Milla; Boye, Ponce.
Bench: Werner, F Fernandez, Pastore, Guti, Fidel, Josan, Marti, Clerc, Donald.
Barcelona vs Elche score prediction
Barcelona may have emerged empty-handed from the midweek meeting with their bogey team Bayern Munich. However, the Blaugrana represent historically unfavourable foes for Elche.
The Alicante outfit has never recorded a victory against Barcelona in the Catalan capital. In fact, Elche have scored just four goals at Camp Nou since 1969. Both of those dire records may be extended this weekend.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Elche