Real Madrid are back in LaLiga following Champions League action, as they focus on the domestic competition and fighting for the title. To do so, they need to accumulate points and reduce the gap between themselves and league leaders Barcelona. They face Elche at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid are favourites, but Elche are obligated to move away from the relegation zone, making it essential to try and gain points.
Madrid’s Recent Form
Real Madrid returned to winning ways in their previous match against Celta de Vigo, ending a run of defeats against Osasuna and Getafe. The team are also in good spirits after taking a 3-0 lead in the Champions League. Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick in that game.
Elche’s Struggle for Points
Elche are currently on a ten-match winless streak. Securing points against Real Madrid would provide a significant boost as they aim to improve their campaign.
Team Lineups and Changes
Dani Carvajal and Fran García are set to feature as full-backs. Eduardo Camavinga is expected to play in midfield. Álvaro Arbeloa has made these three changes to Real Madrid’s starting eleven for the LaLiga match against Elche. Elche faces the match with ten absentees.
League Standings
Real Madrid are currently in second place with 63 points, having won 20, drawn three, and lost four matches. They are four points behind Barcelona, who are in first place. Elche are in 17th position with 26 points, just one point above Mallorca, who are in the relegation zone. Elche have only won five matches this season, with 11 draws and 11 losses.
Historical Head-to-Head Record
Real Madrid have dominated the last five LaLiga encounters between these two teams, with three wins and two draws. Real Madrid last lost to Elche in the 1977/78 season, when they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Estadio de Altabix.
- LaLiga 25/26 J13 Elche 2-1 Real Madrid
- LaLiga 22/23 J21 Real Madrid 4-0 Elche
- LaLiga 22/23 J10 Elche 0-3 Real Madrid
Starting Lineups
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger, Fran García, Eduardo Camavinga, Thiago Pitarch, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouámeni, Brahim Díaz and Vinícius Júnior.
Elche: Matías Dituro, Buba Sangaré, David Affengruber, Víctor Chust, Léo Pétrot, Germán Valera, Aleix Febas, Redondo, Martim Neto, Cepeda and André da Silva.
Real Madrid’s coach has said that the current goalkeeper is the best in the team’s history.