Preview: Elche vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

Elche will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in La Liga to five matches when they welcome struggling Alaves to Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Saturday afternoon.

The home side, who sit 15th in the table, played out a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid before the break, while Alaves suffered a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona to stay inside the relegation zone.

Match preview

© Reuters

Elche looked to be on course for a famous win at Bernabeu last time out, with Lucas Boye and Pere Milla sending the visitors into a two-goal lead in the 76th minute, but Real Madrid scored through Luka Modric and Eder Militao in the latter stages to secure a share of the spoils in Madrid.

It was still a hugely positive performance and indeed result for Francisco's side, though, with Los Franjiverdes now unbeaten in their last four league games, recording two wins in the process against Espanyol and Villarreal.

Elche have won five, drawn eight and lost nine of their 22 league matches this season to collect 23 points, which has left them in 15th spot in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Francisco's team will be bidding to record their fourth home league victory of the campaign this weekend, and they will be taking on an Alaves side with the second-worst away record in Spain's top flight this term.

Elche only just survived in La Liga last season, finishing down in 17th position, so it is not a surprise to see them sitting towards the bottom of the division at this stage.

© Reuters

Alaves have actually been victorious in their last two league games against Elche, including a 2-0 victory in the corresponding contest during the 2020-21 campaign.

El Glorioso, who finished 16th in La Liga last season, are currently 19th in Spain's top flight, having picked up just 17 points from their 22 league games in 2021-22.

Alaves are the lowest goalscorers in La Liga this term with 16, while they have not been victorious in the league since the start of November - a 2-1 home success over Levante.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have lost their last two in Spain's top flight to Real Betis and Barcelona, while they have not scored a goal since the 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad over one month ago.

Alaves have a tough run of fixtures in the coming weeks, which makes Saturday's contest with Elche even more important, and they have won the last two league games between the two sides.

Team News

© Reuters

Elche are sweating on the fitness of Ivan Marcone, Enzo Roco and Tete Morente ahead of this weekend's contest, while Johan Mojica is a doubt due to his late return from international duty.

Fidel could replace Morente in the first XI, while Josan Fernandez is also pushing to be involved from the start, which could lead to Milla being moved forward alongside Boye in the final third.

Head coach Francisco will have been delighted with his team's performance against Real Madrid last time out, though, so the majority of the side are expected to retain their spots in the team.

As for Alaves, Mamadou Loum and Ximo Navarro will miss the contest through injury, while Facundo Pellistri is a doubt due to his involvement for Uruguay.

Manu Vallejo has joined the strugglers on loan from Valencia, and the Spaniard is in line to feature in the final third of the field alongside Joselu.

Miguel de la Fuente is also an option for change in a forward area, but it seems likely that both Jason and Luis Rioja will retain their spots in the final third of the field.

Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Verdu, Gonzalez, Mojica; Josan, Mascarell, Gumbau, Fidel; Milla, Boye

Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Aguirregabiria, Lejeune, Laguardia, Duarte; Jason, Escalante, Pina, Rioja; Vallejo, Joselu

We say: Elche 1-1 Alaves

This is a really big match for both sides, and it should be a tight affair, with the two managers knowing the importance of avoiding defeat. Elche will enter the contest in the better form, but Alaves are certainly capable of securing a share of the spoils on Saturday afternoon.

Previews by email