Elche Vs Barcelona Match Preview 11th May 2014

Goliath Meets David In A Must-Win Match

Kick Off: Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero,Elche,Today 18:00 BST

Defending champions Barcelona take on Elche in a must-win match for them. Barcelona are three points behind top team Atletico, their drubbers in Champion League quarter finals. Breathing fire on their tale with a lag of just one point are arch rivals Real whom they lost the Copa del Ray finals to.
Barca have 3 wins, a draw and a loss in their last 5 games, with big name players like superstar striker Messi, they are the clear favourites too. But on the other hand, new, small but dynamic Elche are quite formidable at their home ground Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero where they haven’t lost a single match for the last 5 months. In their last 5 games, they have had two losses, two wins and one draw. Presently they stand midtable at14th place with 39 points.

Barcelona's Deadly Duo , must come to their team rescue 

Barca will go all out for a clear victory. Gerardo Martino's men know they can still retain their title if they win this match and Atletico loses theirs. Then Barca will take home the trophy on better goal difference.
Fran Escriba’s Elche, on the other hand, have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They are well past relegation and if they somehow manage to beat the Barca, they will move up a place or two in rankings. Elche are strong defenders and have conceded just 47 goals in the tournament till date, and only 2 of these have been hit at the home ground.
On the other hand, in the reverse fixture, Barcelona had trounced Elche 4-0 with a hat trick from Alexis Sanchez. They will hope for a rerun of the same story.

Star Players to watch out for

For Barca, it is the star forward, the one-and-only Lionel Messi, the 4-time Ballon d’Or winner who inspite of not being at his best has scored 28 goals already. Messi has also been in news for urging his team mates to go all out and catch the title by the skin of their teeth.
$70 million purchase Brazilian Neymar has been a disappointment of sorts in his first season with Barcelona.

Injury and team news

Barca will miss Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Neymar- all first teamers and all down with injuries.
Elche will miss goalkeeper Tono and defender Botia, both serving suspension.

Final score prediction

Elche : 0   Barcelona 2 

Match forecast
Expect to see Barca pass the ball around a lot making Elche chase. They know that Elche’s defense is solid.
Watch out for Elche too, they might just do the unexpected to take wind right out of Barca’s sails at their home turf. Escriba is certainly hoping to do so.

Written By : Namita Jain