Elche vs. Barcelona: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape La Liga Game

Barcelona meet Elche for the third time in a month, this time in La Liga.

The Catalans will be hoping for similar results to their two Copa del Rey meetings in order to keep pace with front-runners Real Madrid, while Elche will be looking for the three points to lift them off of joint bottom of the table.

Pressure at both ends of the table could either kill this game as a spectacle or make for a classic.

Let's take a look at a few things that could shape the outcome of this one...

Will Barca's Interest in the Copa Del Rey Be a Factor?

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Will Luis Suarez be rested for this match?

Perhaps Elche's only hope of a point or unlikely victory lies in the cup competition that they were just knocked out of by the Blaugrana.

Sandwiched either side of this fixture is a Copa del Rey quarter-final that represents Barca's best route to silverware at this point in the season.

On that basis you would assume that Luis Enrique will rest his star names in this game so that Barca are at full strength in both matches against Atletico Madrid.

It could be a blessing in disguise for the home side.

Elche Still Can't Score Against Barca

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Ex-Barca B star David Lomban hasn't managed to inspire his team to a goal, much less a victory.

It's one of the worst records in the league. Elche just cannot seem to score against Barca for love nor money.

Per Fussball Wettpoint, the last five meetings have seen scores in favour of Barca to the tune of 4-0, 5-0, 3-0 and 4-0, with a goalless draw the other outcome.

Even if Barca haven't been at full strength, they've still been far too good for their opponents.

Luis Enrique couldn't ask for more at this point of the season.

The Perils of the Early Kick-off

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Barca haven't done too well in the early kick-offs.

Another small advantage falls Elche's way in the form of kick-off time.

For the last couple of seasons the early Saturday kick-offs, be they 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. (GMT), have caused Barcelona problems.

Real Valladolid and Valencia last season, Real Madrid and Getafe this season. All of those matches were punctuated by lethargic Blaugrana performances.

Even the win at Almeria, another early start, was lacklustre from start to finish.

It's only a small detail but frankly that's the best Elche can hang onto for the moment.

Messi on the Right

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Lionel Messi looks more comfortable out wide.

Assuming that Lionel Messi plays, and there is nothing to suggest otherwise, then Luis Enrique has to at least start with him on the right-hand side.

Hugging that right flank and with the ability to drop his shoulder and come inside at will, Messi is evidently a much greater danger than in the central areas where he is often surrounded.

Luis Suarez is more at home centrally too so rather than shoehorning players into roles that don't particularly suit, why not take the easy option?

It should pay dividends for Enrique.

Poor Home Form

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Elche need to improve their home form.

Elche's home form is abysmal.

Per WhoScored.com, just one league win on their own patch speaks for itself.

That came way back at the beginning of November to Barcelona's cross-city rivals Espanyol.

A single-goal victory over Real Valladolid in the Copa del Rey is the only other win that the players have to offer their long-suffering fans this season.

It's a huge ask but if Elche want to climb the table and out of trouble, then there's no better time to start picking up points than against one of La Liga's heavyweights.