Sunday night brings the curtain-raiser to Barcelona's 2026-27 La Liga campaign, with the Catalan giants aiming to defend their title against a Real Madrid side once again expected to be their closest rival.
It's La Liga action on Sunday, August 23, as Barcelona travel to face an Elche side already up and running after opening with a 1-1 draw against Deportivo La Coruña.
Barcelona themselves are yet to kick a ball this season; their opener against Athletic Bilbao was pushed back to August 27 after several squad members returned late from World Cup duty.
Team Form
Elche: Opened their league campaign with a hard-fought point away at Deportivo La Coruña.
Barcelona: Still to play competitively this term after their own season opener was postponed.
Key Stats & Head-to-Head
Elche are unbeaten in their last 6 matches ahead of the new LaLiga season.
Elche have not beaten Barcelona since December 1974, a wait now stretching back over five decades.
The Green-striped ones are currently on a 12-game losing run against Barcelona in all competitions.
Elche finished 15th in La Liga last season, securing back-to-back campaigns in Spain's top flight.
Barcelona won four of their six pre-season friendlies, including a 2-1 win over Al Ahly last time out.
Elche have added eight new signings this summer, while Barcelona have brought in five, headlined by Rodri's arrival from Manchester City.
Barcelona have won all their last 10 La Liga meetings with Elche, keeping six clean sheets.
Elche scored in both meetings with Barcelona last season after blanking in 9 of the previous 11.
What to Expect From Both Teams
Elche | Form: D
New head coach Martin Anselmi, handed an initial one-year deal, will be looking to build on an opening-day point as he settles into life at the club.
The Green-striped ones bolstered their squad with eight summer arrivals, including Fer Nino, who is set to feature through the middle.
Elche will be without Yago Santiago and Adam Boayar through injury, though Lucas Cepeda could come in for a start in the final third.
Barcelona | Form: WLWLWW
Hansi Flick's side arrive with clear ambitions: retain the league title and mount a serious push for the Champions League.
The marquee signing of Rodri underlines that intent, though a debut looks premature, with a place among the substitutes the more likely outcome.
Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are both sidelined through injury, while Pau Cubarsi's return to full fitness may see Jules Kounde shift into central defense.
Predicted Lineups
Elche (possible):
Dituro, Chust, Redondo, Affengruber, Sangare, Villar, Aguado, Valera, Houary, Nino, Cepeda.
Barcelona (possible):
J. Garcia, E. Garcia, Kounde, Martin, Baldem, Pedri, Bernal, Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha, Abdelkarim.
Matchups & Players to Watch
Fer Nino: The new arrival is set to feature in the middle in an early outing for his new club.
Hamza Abdelkarim: The 18-year-old is in line for a start after scoring four times during Barcelona's pre-season.
Lucas Cepeda: Could come into Elche's front line as Anselmi weighs changes in the final third.
Jules Kounde: Likely to shift into central defense for Barcelona with Cubarsi still working back to fitness.
Odds Market on MSport
Elche/Home to win = 8.45
Barcelona/Away to win = 1.34
Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.77
Over 2.5 total goals = 1.46
This one shapes up as a meeting of contrasting stories: an Elche side already up and running under new boss Anselmi against a Barcelona team eager to get their title defence off the mark.
With a 52-year hoodoo hanging over the hosts, all eyes will be on whether Elche can finally end their long wait for a win over the Catalan giants.