Hansi Flick does not believe the way to get the best out of Lamine Yamal is by changing his position, ahead of Barcelona's meeting with Elche in LaLiga.

Yamal endured a quiet outing as Barca were beaten 2-1 by their Clasico rivals Real Madrid last week, a result that moved Los Blancos five points clear at the top of the table.

The Spain superstar has had a frustrating start to the season, having battled a niggling groin injury. He has only scored once in seven games for club and country since the end of August – the goal coming in a 6-1 Champions League rout of Olympiacos.

Carles Rexach – who played 450 games for the Blaugrana between 1965 and 1981 and later had a one-year spell as their head coach – recently suggested Yamal should follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and move infield, to a number 10 position.

But Flick will not make that change just yet, telling reporters: "I think, right now, the way to get back to your best version is in your main position. 

"Yes, in some situations and games, he can manage everything when playing inside. 

"He's fantastic and can play in different positions. For him, the most important thing is to touch the ball a lot because he can create things."

Elche have made a solid start to the campaign, only losing two of their first 10 games to enter the weekend's action eighth in the table.

And Flick has been impressed by their head coach Eder Sarabia and his patient, possession-based approach, saying: "I like how Elche play. They play well as a team, they find solutions. 

"We have to follow the gameplan to put pressure on them as we want to. I liked the last two training sessions, and we got [Dani] Olmo and [Robert] Lewandowski back, even if we lost Pedri."

While Olmo and Lewandowski are available following injury lay-offs, Pedri will miss a significant stretch after suffering a hamstring tear.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Barcelona – Ferran Torres

Torres could make his 100th start in LaLiga here, having made 36 for Valencia and 63 for Barcelona to date.

He has been involved in three goals in his three previous matches against Elche in the competition (two goals and one assist).

Elche – Andre Silva

Silva has scored four of Elche's last seven goals in LaLiga, including two of the four they have netted away from home in the competition this season.

MATCH PREDICTION – BARCELONA WIN

Barcelona have not lost any of their last 21 LaLiga matches against Elche (won 17, drawn four), winning the last eight in a row. 

This is their longest-ever unbeaten run and also their best winning streak against Elche in the competition's history.

At home, the Blaugrana have never lost in 24 LaLiga matches against Elche (won 17, drawn seven), their most home matches without losing against any single opponent in the competition.

Elche have lost two of their last three LaLiga matches (drawn one), after not losing any of their previous 12 (won five, drawn seven).

Interestingly, this game will be between two of the three teams with the highest average possession share in LaLiga this campaign, with Barcelona first on 70.9% and Elche third with 59.9% (Real Madrid are second, 60.9%).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Barcelona – 71.1%

Elche – 11.9%

Draw – 17%