In-form Barcelona will attempt to keep their positive momentum going when they face Elche in La Liga on Sunday.

Xavi’s side have been bolstered by the type of January additions that have made form head coach Ronald Koeman jealous, but have taken advantage of these arrivals impressively to launch a bid for a top-four place.

They have won their last four fixtures in a handsome style, winning each of these games by scoring four goals. What is crucial for the Blaugrana at present, though, is simply getting the wins that will allow them to qualify for the Champions League next season.

On Sunday, they will have a strong side at their disposal. In terms of injury problems, only the long-standing complaint of Ansu Fati is genuinely problematic, and he is a player they are well versed to coping without in any case. Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umiti are their other senior professionals who are missing.

With that in mind, there should be few shocks in the starting XI.

The front three will consists entirely of new signings. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will again lead the line, flanked by Adama Traore and Ferran Torres.

Pedri, Sergi Busquets and Frenkie de Jong will patrol the midfield, while the defence will possess extreme amounts of experience. Dani Alves, who has been linked with the possibility of signing a new deal, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are a trio who hark back to Barca’s glory days. Completing the back four will be Ronald Araujo.

There will be no shocks in goal, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will once again be trusted with the gloves in preference to Neto.

Barcelona will play in their usual 4-3-3 formation.

Elche starting defenders Pedro Bigas and Helibelton Palacios are both sidelined, while there are doubts over Javier Pastore and Ivan Marcone in midfield. Gerard Gumbau is banned.

Possible Barcelona XI vs Elche