Image Source: Getty Images
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 22
Elche v Barcelona
Estadio Martinez Valero
Elche, Spain
Saturday, 31 January 2026
Kick-off is at 20h00
Barcelona will be looking to build up a head of steam again in La Liga when they travel down the eastern coast of Spain for a meeting with Elche at the Estadio Martinez Valero in the late kick-off on Saturday, January 31.
The Blaugrana bounced back from their third defeat of the season - a 2-1 reverse to Real Sociedad - as they beat rock-bottom Real Oviedo 3-0 on January 25 to hold onto top spot.
Hansi Flick's side maintained the one-point gap to Real Madrid, who matched their arch-rivals with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Villarreal on January 24.
Barca have an impressive record against Los Franjiverdes in the league, winning 10 of their 11 encounters and dropping points just once in a 0-0 draw at the Estadio Martinez Valero on 11 May 2014.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Elche surprised many when they went unbeaten in their opening seven matches after being promoted as runners-up in the Segunda Division last season.
Eder Sarabia's side endured a slump after Alaves ended their fine start, going winless in their seven outings before recovering in the final month of 2025.
However, the Alicante outfit hit another bump in the road since the turn of the year, with a 3-2 loss against Levante on January 23 leaving them winless in 2026.
Suggested photo: Dani Olmo of Barcelona
The Catalan giants have already played seven games this month and Flick admitted they struggled in the opening stages against the Blues before Dani Olmo's 52nd-minute opener eased the nerves.
"I'm satisfied with the team, especially in the second half. The first half was harder for us," he said. "Overall, we've had a big workload of matches and I don't like to make excuses, but today, at the start, it was tough for us.
"The most important thing was scoring the first goal, because from then on we were able to play our game."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Elche wins - 0
Barcelona wins - 5
Draws - 0
La Liga Matchday 22 fixtures:
Friday, January 30
22h00: Espanyol v Alaves
Saturday, January 31
13h00: Real Oviedo v Girona
15h15: Osasuna v Villarreal
17h30: Levante v Atletico Madrid
20h00: Elche v Barcelona
Sunday, February 1
13h00: Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
15h15: Real Betis v Valencia
17h30: Getafe v Celta Vigo
20h00: Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad
Monday, February 2
20h00: Real Mallorca v Sevilla
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