In an exciting matchup in the Spanish Primera, Elche will host Atlético Madrid at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium. Both teams are navigating contrasting fortunes as they aim to achieve their objectives in the league.
Match preview
Elche finds itself in a precarious position, battling for survival in the relegation zone, just one point shy of safety. The team recently secured vital home victories over Mallorca and Valencia, although their inconsistent run includes a defeat to Rayo Vallecano. Despite these challenges, Elche boasts a commendable home record with only two losses in 16 matches, making their stadium a fortress where they play with courage and discipline. Lucas Cepeda’s recent heroics against Valencia have boosted their spirits, and Álvaro Rodríguez may be set to start, adding depth to their attacking options.
On the other hand, Atlético Madrid arrives at this fixture following a disappointingly close Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad, which was decided on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw. Their La Liga performance has also dipped, with three successive losses to top-tier foes Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla. Nevertheless, they maintain a fourth-place standing in the league with a comfortable margin over fifth place, even as they shift focus towards their upcoming Champions League semifinal.
Probable lineups
- Elche: Dituro, Petrot, Affengruber, Bigas, Morente, Febas, Aguado, Valera, Cepeda, Rodríguez, Mir
- Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Bonar, Pubill, Lenglet, Díaz, Mendoza, Cardoso, Almada, Baena, González, Álvarez
Match facts and head-to-head
- Elche has lost just two home matches this season, earning 28 points in 16 games.
- Atlético has struggled recently, losing six of their last seven matches across all competitions, including three in a row in La Liga.
- Historically, Elche has managed to win 12 out of 58 encounters against Atlético, including a notable 1-0 victory in the 2022/23 season.