La Liga: Sarabia’s Elche Out to Make History With Little to Lose

Barcelona vs Elche

In many ways, this is a La Liga mismatch.

Barcelona are the defending Spanish champions; Elche were promoted from the Spanish second division last term and have not defeated the Spanish giants for more than half a century.

Yet in one way, this is a free hit for Eder Sarabia’s side who have fared far better than expected since returning to the top flight after a two-year absence– a season when they changed their head coach with alarming regularity.

And no-one really expects them to deliver La Liga 2025 highlights in the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night. Do they?

 

Talking Points

The onus is very much on the hosts after two defeats in three league games left them five points off the summit behind Real Madrid who proved too strong in the first El Clasico of the campaign last weekend.

Sure, Hansi Flick’s men were missing Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha amongst their attacking armoury.

But Real were good value for their victory and they cannot afford a further slip up this weekend.

The good news for the home side, alongside their outstanding record against this weekend’s opponents, is that Lewandowski and Olmo should return to the squad.

The bad news is they remain without Gavi, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Pedri. The latter is actually suspended following his late red card last weekend but he is actually set for a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a tear in his hamstring.

He has proven an invaluable member of the title-winning side. In fact, Pedri had played in 41 consecutive games for Barcelona and has missed just one of Flick’s 73 matches as manager.

While no-one realistically expects Elche to lay a glove on their illustrious opponents, it should be noted that they have performed above expectations following promotion from the Segunda Division, with 14 points from 10 matches and a record of three wins, five draws and two defeats.

Sarabia’s men, who have already held Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao this term, were in action in midweek when they enjoyed a 4-0 success over UD Los Garres in the first round of the Copa del Rey.

They have, however, won only one of their last five in the league, including a 1-0 defeat to Espanyol last weekend, and are yet to triumph on their travels, drawing three and losing two of their five matches away from home.

One to watch will be their leading goalscorer Andre Silva, while Hector Fort, on loan from Barcelona, is eligible to play but is expected to start on the bench.

Sarabia was assistant manager at the Nou Camp in 2020-21 and was considered by some as a factor in a relationship breakdown between some players and coaching staff.

How he would love to get one over his former employer and damage their title defence.

 

History

I must admit I was actually surprised when I saw that Elche have defeated Barcelona on no fewer than eight occasions in total.

That is in contrast to 30 Barcelona victories and a further 12 draws.

On saying that, just three draws aside, you have to go back to 1974 to the last time they beat them – a 1-0 success in December 1974 when Melenchon scored the only goal of the game for the home side.

The late, great Johan Cruyff was amongst the names in the Barca line-up that day.

The most recent times they met, three seasons ago, saw Barca rank up two big wins.

In the corresponding fixture in Catalonia, a double from Lewandowski and a Memphis Depay strike sealed a 3-0 win.

In the return, two more from the prolific Pole and one apiece from Ansu Fati and Ferran Torressealed a 4-0 win.

 

Betting Tip

How can you not back Barca with the SBOTOP La Liga 2025 betting odds?

A repeat of their meeting from three seasons ago is on offer @ 8.00 with Correct Score 3-0.

Then there is total goal 2-3 @ 2.39, 4-6 @ 2.19 and over 3.75 @ 2.14.

Less fancied, naturally, is total goal 0-1 at an attractive @ 6.10.

To back the visitors for victory will earn you a very nice sum indeed, should it be achieved for Elche are on offer 1X2 @ 9.00 and Asian Handicap +1.75 @ 2.14.

Barca, by contrast, are priced 1X2 @ 1.21 and Asian Handicap -2.25 @ 2.23.

The draw @ 6.00 provides good value for a team placed in ninth spot and possibly worth the punt. Then I remind myself that Elche have never won on Barca turf and I just cannot see it so my *** tip is First Half Asian Handicap Barcelona -1.00 @ 1.21.

   

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