Elche vs Espanyol predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two struggling teams meet.
| Date | Sunday 19th February 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 14:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | Manuel Martinez Valero |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Elche vs Espanyol Preview
Sunday’s action in the Spanish top flight starts in Elche where LaLiga’s bottom club are targeting their second win of the season against fellow strugglers Espanyol. It’s a pressure game for the visitors who really could do with leaving with all the points.
This is highly unlikely to be a defensive masterclass with both sides accident prone at the back and leaking too many goals. Elche have conceded 10 more than any other side in LaLiga following their 4-0 midweek loss at Real Madrid. That’s the primary reason why they are so far adrift at the bottom of the table, but things haven’t been much better at the other end.
Elche fans did finally have something to cheer in their last home game. Pere Milla’s hat-trick inspired a deserved 3-1 win over Villarreal, the club’s first win of the season in LaLiga. However Milla has since fractured his collarbone so somebody else will need to step up if Elche are going to record another victory here.
Espanyol are also likely to be without their most dangerous forward player. Joselu is a major doubt for the game again so Martin Braithwaite will most likely act as the main striker again. That was the case on Monday night but Espanyol sank to a 3-2 home defeat against Real Sociedad with defensive problems again a theme in a game which saw Leandro Cabrera concede an own goal and get sent off.
Diego Martinez may use this game as his cue to bring in some of his January signings. Denis Suarez is certainly pushing for a start while it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see Fernando Pacheco take his place in goal ahead of Alvaro Fernandez. The visitors certainly need to do something different given defeat here would most likely see them fall into the relegation zone by Monday night.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Elche
| INJURED | Collado, Milla, Chetauya |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Diego Gonzalez |
Possible XI: Badia – Bigas, Magallan, Palacios – Clerc, Gumbau, Mascarell, Carmona – Fidel – Ponce, Boye (3-4-1-2)
Coach: Pablo Machin
Espanyol
| INJURED | Bare, Pedrosa, Calero |
| DOUBTFUL | Joselu, Montes |
| BANNED | Cabrera |
Possible XI: Alvaro Fernandez – Olivan, Gomez, Gragera, Gil – Souza, Darder – Puado, Melamed, Vidal – Braithwaite (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Diego Martinez
Score Prediction: Elche 2-2 Espanyol
Defensively there are cracks in each of these two teams. Espanyol have more quality but with the likes of Joselu, Cesar Montes and Leandro Cabrera missing, they could be vulnerable here again. Elche’s recent home performances have been of a higher level and they ought to be capable of getting a result.
PLEASE NOTE – Our La Liga previews and predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
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