Two clubs in opposite halves of the Spanish Liga table will do battle today in a league match between Elche and Barcelona. The first-division clash scheduled for 1 p.m. ET will be held at the Vicente Manuel Martinez Valero in Elche and can be live streamed here free.
After conceding the title following last weekend's 2-2 draw, Barcelona now control their own destiny. Two victories in their final two matches will see the Catalan giants at the summit of Spanish football. For Barcelona forward Pedro, it would be unforgivable for the club to not retain their league crown (h/t to Goal). "I'd say [the title race] is now 50-50, because Atletico have a points advantage but we have the home advantage in the last game," the winger told Marca.
"We have been given a boost in morale, a new dose of energy. It's now all up to us and it would be unforgivable to not see this through to the end," he added.
"We have another mentality and can't fail. We will try to beat Elche to then play for everything at home in front of our crowd. We weren't speaking too soon when we said that the league was impossible to win. It was unthinkable given the results. Now, we've been given a second chance and we have to take full advantage of it."
"The league title will be decided first by what we do this Sunday and we're playing a difficult away game. There's no point thinking about Atletico if we don't beat Elche."
Will Barcelona remain focused and capture the required three points this afternoon? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Barcelona's Pedro has consistently contributed from the left side of the club's formation this season. In 19 appearances bearing that responsibility, the 26-year-old has 12 goals and seven assits.
Elche's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Herrera; Cisma, Pelegrin, Lomban, Suarez; Sanchez, Perez; Rodrigues, Marquez, Coro; Boakye
Barcelona's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Pinto; Adriano, Mascherano, Bartra, Alves; Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi; Pedro, Messi, Sanchez
Spanish Liga Table
|
Rnk |
Team |
MP |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
+/- |
Pts |
|||
|
1 |
Atlético Madrid |
36 |
28 |
4 |
4 |
75 |
24 |
51 |
88 |
|||
|
2 |
FC Barcelona |
36 |
27 |
4 |
5 |
99 |
32 |
67 |
85 |
|||
|
3 |
Real Madrid |
36 |
26 |
6 |
4 |
101 |
35 |
66 |
84 |
|||
|
4 |
Athletic Club |
36 |
20 |
8 |
8 |
65 |
38 |
27 |
68 |
|||
|
5 |
Sevilla FC |
36 |
17 |
9 |
10 |
66 |
50 |
16 |
60 |
|||
|
6 |
Real Sociedad |
36 |
16 |
10 |
10 |
60 |
52 |
8 |
58 |
|||
|
7 |
Villarreal CF |
37 |
16 |
8 |
13 |
58 |
43 |
15 |
56 |
|||
|
8 |
Levante UD |
37 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
35 |
42 |
-7 |
48 |
|||
|
9 |
Valencia CF |
37 |
12 |
10 |
15 |
49 |
52 |
-3 |
46 |
|||
|
10 |
Celta de Vigo |
36 |
13 |
7 |
16 |
46 |
52 |
-6 |
46 |
|||
|
11 |
Rayo Vallecano |
37 |
13 |
4 |
20 |
45 |
78 |
-33 |
43 |
|||
|
12 |
RCD Espanyol |
36 |
11 |
8 |
17 |
39 |
47 |
-8 |
41 |
|||
|
13 |
Málaga CF |
36 |
11 |
8 |
17 |
37 |
45 |
-8 |
41 |
|||
|
14 |
Elche CF |
36 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
29 |
47 |
-18 |
39 |
|||
|
15 |
Granada CF |
36 |
11 |
5 |
20 |
31 |
54 |
-23 |
38 |
|||
|
16 |
Real Valladolid |
36 |
7 |
15 |
14 |
35 |
55 |
-20 |
36 |
|||
|
17 |
UD Almería |
36 |
10 |
6 |
20 |
41 |
71 |
-30 |
36 |
|||
|
18 |
Getafe CF |
36 |
9 |
9 |
18 |
32 |
53 |
-21 |
36 |
|||
|
19 |
Osasuna |
36 |
9 |
8 |
19 |
29 |
60 |
-31 |
35 |
|||
|
20 |
Real Betis |
36 |
5 |
7 |
24 |
31 |
73 |
-42 |
22 |
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