There are games in which the cliché that more than three points are played corresponds to reality. The one this afternoon between Elche and Barcelona at the Martínez Valero (4:15 p.m., Movistar + LaLiga) is one of those. The three points have a bonus for the winner. The tie would know very little (follow the match live on As.com).
Let’s start at the top. Barça has before them a perfect opportunity to consolidate their progression and win their fourth consecutive game. A triumph that would serve to settle in places in the Champions League and start dreaming of doing something else. After the draw of Seville on Friday before Alavesthose of Xavi they are ten points behind the second classified with two games less and waiting for the visit of Lopetegui’s men to the Camp Nou. Making the story of the milkmaid, if the Catalans do their job they would be one point behind Sevilla.
What’s more, Villarreal lost yesterday against Osasuna and on Sunday they close it Betis (the team that precedes Barça) and Atletico Madrid (his most immediate pursuer) in a game from which Xavi’s men can only benefit, as long as they add three in Elche, which will not be easy.
Elche also has before it the possibility of taking a decisive step towards the tranquility of the table. Getafe lost in Cornellà and if Francisco’s add three points they would get 32, distancing the team that marks the relegation by ten points. The effect of the new coach would be consolidated, which was partly clouded by the last league defeat against I raised, which devastated him. But nobody takes away from Francisco the fact of turning his stadium into a difficult place to conquer: they have not lost as locals since the new coach arrived.
Barcelona arrives in Elche with the offensive arsenal just bought fine-tuned. He has scored 12 goals in the last four games played and get Jordi Alba backwho missed the last match due to suspension. Galatasaray awaits them on Thursdaybut everyone is aware that these three points have a bonus.