Elche have already began their La Liga campaign, securing a 1-1 draw with Deportivo A Coruna earlier this week, but this home clash with Barcelona will be a major step up in quality.
Los Franjiverdes will have ambitions of matching their eighth-place finish secured last season and this game against the champions will be a great indicator of where they are right now.
Barca are seeking a third consecutive La Liga title this season and they haven't achieved that since the halcyon days of Pep Guardiola back in 2011.
Hansi Flick's squad has undergone some changes over the summer, but it still remains strong enough to win trophies.
Elche v Barcelona Tips Summary
Best Bet - Barcelona -1 @ 5/6
Alternative Bet - Correct score - Elche 1-3 Barcelona @ 9/1
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Lamine Yamal to score & Raphinha 1+ shot on target @ 16/5
Elche v Barcelona Prediction
Best Bet: Barcelona -1 @ 5/6
Despite Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski both leaving the Nou Camp during the transfer window, Flick will be confident of leading his side to another league title.
New arrivals include Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and, most notably, Rodri from Manchester City, significantly boosting Flick's midfield and attack.
Last season, Barca twice defeated Elche 3-1 in La Liga and the Catalan side haven't dropped points against these opponents since a 0-0 draw towards the end of the 2013/14 season.
The previous four wins against Elche have been by two goals or more and Flick should expect more of the same on Sunday.
The Blaugrana scored a staggering 95 goals in the league last season, showcasing their proficiency in the final third.
Alternative Bet: Correct score - Elche 1-3 Barcelona @ 9/1
As mentioned above, both of the meetings between the clubs finished 3-1 in Barca's favour last season and I expect a repeat this weekend.
Los Franjiverdes proved that they had enough about them to breach the Catalans' rearguard, while they came back from a goal down on Monday evening against Deportivo to snatch a point.
Barcelona played six pre-season matches, scoring a total of 14 goals in the process and Flick will be looking for his side to begin their league campaign with a statement of intent and a comfortable victory.
The Catalans have scored at least three goals against Elche in six of the previous seven league meetings dating back to January 2021.
With several new and exciting additions to his Blaugrana squad, a scoreline of 3-1 is worth backing at 9/1.
Elche v Barcelona Bet Builder
Both teams to score
Lamine Yamal to score
Raphinha 1+ shot on target
Pays 16/5
Despite having not taken a point off the Catalan giants in more than a decade, Elche have caused a few problems in the final third for their more illustrious opponents.
Indeed, four of the previous meetings has seen both teams find the back of the net.
The visitors even scored two at the Nou Camp during a 3-2 defeat in 2021 and Martin Anselmi will be hoping his team can compete here.
Lamine Yamal is one player to watch out for. Now a world champion aged just 19, the winger enjoyed a solid World Cup, scoring and assisting once during the tournament.
Last season, Yamal scored twice against Elche, grabbing a goal in both meetings and he will be looking to make a great start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Another player who shone last term was Raphinha.
The Brazilian scored 21 goals and grabbed eight assists in all competitions throughout 2025/26 and, with two goals and one assist in pre-season, it looks as though he is raring to go.
Raphinha averaged 1.1 shots on target in La Liga last season, so expect him to trouble the home goalkeeper on Sunday.
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Key Match Stats
Barcelona last dropped points against Elche in May 2014
Barca have defeated Elche by two or more goals in all of their last four meetings
Hansi Flick is looking to become the first Barca manager to win three league titles in a row since Pep Guardiola
Elche finished eighth in La Liga last season, their best finish since 1975
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
