Real Madrid will be aiming to bounce back in La Liga when they visit Elche on Sunday. Los Blancos remain at the top of the league, three points clear of Barcelona, while Elche have enjoyed a solid season so far and sit comfortably in 11th place after earning promotion last year.
Elche secured their return to the top flight by finishing second in the Segunda Division, and their first few months back in La Liga have been encouraging. With three wins, six draws and three losses, Eder Sarabia’s side have collected 15 points, leaving them only three behind Espanyol in sixth. However, they have struggled to find a win recently. Their last league victory came at the end of September, and they have since recorded three defeats and two draws.
They went into the November international break on the back of a one one draw with Real Sociedad, and now they face the challenge of trying to beat Real Madrid for the first time since 1978. History does not favour them. Real Madrid have won 35 of the previous 53 meetings across all competitions, including a four zero victory when the teams last met in the 2022–23 season.
Real Madrid arrive with something to prove after being held to a goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano before the break, which came just days after a one zero Champions League defeat to Liverpool. Despite that setback, they remain league leaders with ten wins, one draw and one loss from twelve matches, giving them 31 points.
Defensively, they have been outstanding. Their ten goals conceded is the joint best record in the league. In attack, Kylian Mbappe has been the standout star, scoring 13 league goals so far, six more than any other player in Spain’s top flight at this stage. Yet it has not been a completely smooth campaign. Questions are already being raised about the long term future of head coach Xabi Alonso, and there is growing tension around Vinicius Junior.
Even with those concerns, Real Madrid have been exceptional away from home, earning 13 points from six matches on the road. Elche, meanwhile, have turned their stadium into a tough place to visit, remaining unbeaten at home with three wins and three draws.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Elche may once again have to cope without Pedro Bigas, who is still recovering from injury, but the rest of the squad appears to be in good condition, with no new concerns reported. Head coach Eder Sarabia is expected to stick with the same lineup that started against Real Sociedad before the break, which would include former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Rodriguez leading the attack.
Rodriguez scored in that match and should keep his place, with Rafa Mir and Josan likely providing support on either side. The hosts are expected to set up in a four one four one system as they look to contain Real Madrid while posing a threat going forward.
For Real Madrid, there is positive news regarding several key players. Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga are all expected to be available despite picking up minor issues during the international break.
However, Dean Huijsen, who pulled out of Spain duty because of a fitness concern, is a major doubt. If he is unable to play, David Alaba and Raul Asencio are likely to form the central defensive partnership, especially with Eder Militao sidelined after picking up an injury while playing for Brazil.
Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal are still out, and both Franco Mastantuono and Aurelien Tchouameni will need to be assessed closer to kickoff, leaving a few question marks for Xabi Alonso to resolve. There is also a possibility of a tactical shift, with Jude Bellingham potentially operating just behind a front two of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Elche possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Pedrosa; Aguado; Josan, Febas, Mendoza, Mir; A Rodriguez
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Alaba, Carreras; Camavinga, Valverde, Guler; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe
EXPERT PREDICTION
Elche 1-3 Real Madrid
