Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Liga clash between Elche and Barcelona. We'll bring you all the goals and action as it happens. Kick-off: 17:00.

Which is perhaps surprising given that Pedro has been handed the start for Barcelona tonight. He should provide more direct pace than Suarez, but the Catalans have hardly used him.

The speed with which Barcelona have been playing with in recent weeks has vanished somewhat. The movement between the lines of midfield and attack is simply too slow right now.

Montoya is perhaps the one weak link that Elche can exploit. The Barcelona right-back looks uncomfortable when players coming running at him. Aaron and Jonathas should try their luck.

There has been a slight tactical switch from Escriba though at half-time, with Fajr moving into the right side position. Elche are having a go at Barcelona, and why not? They impressed in the first half.

No changes from either side at the break. I'd suggest that with the second leg against Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey coming up Enrique won't make any changes for another 15 minutes or so.

The second half is under way! Barcelona lead Elche 1-0 after Pique's opening goal.

HALF TIME: Elche 0-1 Barcelona.

That's a big blow for Elche. That yellow card means that Jonathas - their best player - will now miss the relegation battle against Granada next week. That's a huge blow for Escriba and his side.

YELLOW CARD: Jonathas De Jesus (Elche)

Indeed, Barcelona have quickened up their pressing game since he first goal. Elche are struggling to find a pass as the opposition midfield pushes up on them, forcing Elce into mistakes.

So now that Barcelona have the opening goal, will they now loosen up slightly? This has been something of a struggle for them so far. They haven't been on top of their game.

Ecsriba is moaning to the fourth official on the touchline. Elche weren't aware of the quick freekick and switched off for the delivery. Pelegrin wasn't even watching when the cross came in!

GOOOOOOOOAL! Elche 0 Barcelona 1 (36 - Gerard Pique). The away side have the lead! Barca take a quick freekick, with Pique controlling on the chest before slamming in a half volley.

YELLOW CARD: Sergio Pelegrin (Elche)

How hasn't he made any contact with that? Messi teases a left footed cross into the box, with Neymar running in at the back post. But he somehow fails to make a connection with he cross.

This is the sort of game that could have given Suarez something of a confidence boost, given how he has been snatching at his chances in front of goal. But Enrique has put him on the bench.

Are the away side getting slightly frustrated? Alba tries an ambitious cross-field pass looking for Pedro, but it drifts over the winger's head and out for a throw. They're losing their shape and focus.

Barcelona have decided to slow the tempo of the game down to prevent the Elche frontline from coming flying forward at them on the counter attack. This is a tactic from them.