Barcelona lineup vs. Elche: Predicted XI for Catalan giants as Rodri call is made for La Liga opener

Rodri will not be involved when Barcelona open their 2026-27 La Liga campaign against Elche.

The recent signing from Manchester City has been registered with La Liga and has trained with the Catalan giants after recovering from a minor back operation.

However, this match will come too soon for the Spaniard.

Fellow new signings Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu and Joao Cancelo could potentially feature in Barcelona's first game of the new season.

Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are both out of the match through injury, but the Spanish champions are otherwise in strong shape for the game against Elche.

Gordon is an option through the middle, but Hamza Abdelkarim could be rewarded with a start.

The 18-year-old scored four times during pre-season and could be involved from the first whistle.

Fermin Lopez, Marc Bernal and Pedri are all likely to be in the side, while it could be Eric Garcia at right-back and Jules Kounde in the middle of the defence, as Pau Cubarsi is still working his way back to full fitness after helping Spain to win the 2026 World Cup.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

J Garcia; E Garcia, Kounde, Martin, Balde; Pedri, Bernal; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Abdelkarim