Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Sunday’s football game at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero pits together Elche and Barcelona, the two teams with entirely different ambitions in the remainder of the season. Elche’s main goal remains unchanged, and they will give 100% to secure yet another La Liga survival, while Barca are eyeing a place in the Champions League. Los Franjiverdes experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-0 loss to Levante, and, as a result, the odds for away win have been dropping.
Midfielder Gerard Gumbau is banned for the match, while both John Donald and Helibelton Palacios are sidelined with injuries. The Catalan giants, on the other hand, have been impressing in Primera Division ever since the club chiefs reinforce the squad in January. Barcelona produced a brilliant display in a 4-0 crushing of Athletic Club, and they are surely capable of beating Elche on Matchday 27. Jordi Alba is back from suspension, while all Alex Balde, Ansu Fati, and Samuel Umtiti should miss out with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Enzo Roco):
Enzo Roco is one of the young and exciting defenders coming out of Chile in the recent times. The 23-year-old started in the youth teams at Universidad Catolica and moved up the ranks. He was promoted to their first team in 2011 and in three years with them played more than 90 matches.
He established himself in the first team and was an omnipresent figure at the back for the team that won Primera Division and Copa Chile titles. Roco moved to the Spanish club Elche on loan in 2014 and by the next year he was at their fellow Spanish club RCD Espanyol.
Roco’s international appearance started with the under-17 squad in 2009 while his senior international debut was in 2012. He was named in the 30-man list by Jorge Sampaoli for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but was cut from the final list.
Highlighted Team (Barcelona):
Barcelona is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia. Barca were founded in 1899 and they are regarded as one of the greatest clubs in world football. The Catalan giants won their 24th La Liga title in 2016, with Luis Suarez winning “El Pichichi” award. Barcelona have won five European Cup trophies and a number of top-class players were part of the team in the past.
The likes of Hristo Stoichkov, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Pep Guardiola are some of many players that played for Barca in the past, but, no doubt, Leo Messi has established himself as the club’s trademark. Barcelona welcome their rivals at Camp Nou, the stadium that was built in 1957.
Barcelona’s local rivals are Espanyol, but the rivalry between Barca and Real Madrid is much bigger. The two La Liga giants face each other in “El Clasico”, which is considered one of the most exciting derbies in the world football. Barca are famous for their football youth school La Masia as well.