Elche vs Barcelona — Tips & Analysis

Elche +1.75: Barcelona have not played a competitive game in 92 days. This is their first game of the season, and that rust is why we want the home side to stay close. Elche did not lose at home all of last season. They won four and tied two there, scoring more than a goal a game and letting in a goal a game. Better still for this pick, Elche have lost by 2 or more goals only twice in their last 15 games. They are a hard team to beat by a wide margin. Barcelona are the better side and we are not pretending otherwise. They score more than 2 goals a game and have won 11 of their last 14. But they are without Frenkie de Jong with a knee problem, and Roony Bardghji is out with a serious knee injury. Elche should sit in a back three, stay compact and look to break. Expect a ragged, rusty opening from the visitors before their quality shows. We read this as a 2-1 win for Barcelona, and a one goal game keeps Elche inside their head start. The danger is history. Elche have lost 11 of the last 12 meetings, and two of those finished 0-4 and 0-3. If Barcelona click early, this can get away from Elche fast. We still think a fresh home side keeps it tight.