Barcelona missing five players for Elche clash

Barcelona will be without the services of five players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Elche.

The Catalan giants extended their lead at the top of the table to 12 points when they recorded a 2-1 victory over second-placed Real Madrid in El Clasico before the international break.

Barcelona will now be bidding to move 15 points clear when they head to the team at the bottom of the division.

Raphinha is unavailable for selection this weekend, with the Brazil international suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up in the victory over Real Madrid last time out.

Meanwhile, Xavi's side have another four players absent through injury for this match.

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Ousmane Dembele and Pedri remain on the sidelines with hamstring issues, while Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen have also been ruled out of the match.

De Jong picked up a hamstring injury in the latter stages of the clash with Real Madrid, which saw him withdraw from the Netherlands squad during the international break.

Christensen, meanwhile, suffered a calf issue while representing Denmark earlier this week, with the problem potentially ruling him out until the end of April.

There were also huge question marks over Ronald Araujo's involvement, with the Uruguay international suffering an adductor injury against Real Madrid.

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Araujo has been named in the squad for the trip to Elche, but Xavi has admitted that he has not yet decided whether the defender will be involved.

"It depends on the feelings. Today was the first day he worked in the group. Tomorrow I will talk to him and we will decide," the Barcelona boss told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

There are also spots in the squad for youngsters Aleix Garrido, Estanis Pedrola and Angel Alarcon.

"I like Garrido, like Alarcon, like Pablo. Estanis can play on both sides and Garrido has a great last pass, which is what we lack the most without Pedri," said Xavi on Friday.

Barcelona will follow Saturday's clash with the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid next week, with the Catalan side leading 1-0 from the first leg at Bernabeu.

Barcelona squad vs. Elche:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Kessie, Roberto, Casado, Gavi, Torre, Garrido; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Alarcon, Estanis