Elche - Barcelona. Match preview, likely lineups and fantasy tips. Matchday 2 of LaLiga.

We show the likely lineups and statistical data of interest for your preferred fantasy game.

We also take a bit of a punt and give you a captain, a striker, a wall and a risk for each of the teams.

Elche - Barcelona

Match date: 23/08-21:30

Elche C.F.

Elche arrive at Martínez Valero after drawing 1-1 at Riazor, in a debut with very positive feelings for Martín Anselmi: the team were better for much of the match and showed the ideas worked on in pre-season (five-man defence, high pressing, well-worked build-up). Now they raise the level with the visit of the current champions, Barcelona.

Diangana is still a very likely absentee due to a muscle injury, and Yago Santiago continues his knee recovery. Bigas, meanwhile, is already available after overcoming his problems.

The XI looks set to repeat the system of three centre-backs and two full-backs: Dituro in goal; Affengruber and Chust as fixed starters, with Redondo or Bigas completing the trio; Sangaré and Valera on the flanks; Villar and Aguado in midfield, with a doubt between Neto and Cepeda. Up front, Fer Niño remains the reference point, with Houary gaining weight and Buonanotte as an option to accompany him.

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FC Barcelona

The current champions return to competition and do so as clear favourites to defend the title they have won in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Flick's side will begin their title defence with the only absence of de Jong and with hardly any new faces in the starting XI.

The team that steps out at the start on the pitch at Martínez Valero will be fairly consistent with the one that finished last season, and given that the world champion internationals are not yet at full fitness, the only doubts will be about how the midfield will be set up and who will operate in the centre of the attack. In this regard, and based on what was seen in the Gamper and in pre-season, Espart could make the jump to the starting XI, and up front the Egyptian Hamza Abdelkarim could win the race against the new arrivals to partner Lamine Yamal and Raphinha  after some more than notable warm-up matches.

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