Elche Vs Real Madrid: Los Blancos Pick Up Three Points At Estadio Manuel Martpriez Valero

JAKARTA - Real Madrid will try to return to winning ways while continuing their journey in La Liga with a trip to Elche headquarters on Sunday night, November 23.

Los Blancos are currently leading the standings with a three-point lead over Barcelona, while Elche is a surprise promotion team by sitting in 11th place after a solid start to the season.

Elche returned to La Liga after finishing as runner-up in the Segunda Division last season. Their performance at the start of the 2025-26 season was quite promising with a record of three wins, six draws, and three defeats 'correcting 15 points and only three points away from Espanyol in sixth place.

However, Elche has not won since late September. In the last five matches, they recorded three defeats and two draws. The final game before the international break ended with a 1-1 result against Real Sociedad.

Elche is now trying to make history: beating Real Madrid for the first time since 1978. Of the total 53 meetings, Madrid have won 35, including a 4-0 win in the last meeting of the 2022-23 season.

Real Madrid itself entered the international break with disappointing results after being held by Rayo Vallecano 0-0, having previously lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League.

Even so, Madrid still topped the La Liga standings with 31 points as a result of 10 wins, one draw, and one defeat. They have the best defense with Girona with only 10 goals conceded. In attack, Kylian Mbappe appeared sensational with a score of 13 goals 'seeded the next six goalscorer.

But the internal situation of the club is not completely smooth. Xabi Alonso's future is starting to be questioned, and Vinicius Junior's situation has also drawn the spotlight.

One positive thing for Madrid: they have had their best away record this season with 13 points from six matches. Meanwhile, Elche has never lost at home (three wins, three draws).

Elche is likely still without Pedro Bigas who was injured, but besides that the team's condition is quite ideal. Coach Eder Sarabia is expected to keep the starter who drew against Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Rodriguez has again become the mainstay in the front line after scoring a goal in that match.

Real Madrid received fresh air because Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, and Eduardo Camavinga were all ready to appear despite minor problems during the international break.

However, Dean Huijsen is in doubt, while Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Carvajal are still absent. Franco Mastantuono and Aurelien Tchouameni had to undergo their final fitness test.

With various injury problems for defenders, Madrid could have changed the formation of Jude Bellingham behind the duo Vinicius Junior and Mbappe.

Elche deserves respect for their solid performance so far, and this match will not be easy for Real Madrid who have lost a number of important players. But the individual qualities and depth of the Los Blancos squad are still enough to take home the three points in a match that is predicted to be tight.

Dituro; Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Pedrosa; Aguado; Josan, Febas, Mendoza, Mir; A. Rodriguez

Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Alaba, Carreras; Camavinga, Valverde, Guler; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe

Elche 1.2 Real Madrid