Overview
Deportivo closed the 2025-2026 season in second place in Segunda Division with 22 wins, 11 draws and 9 defeats, winning 77 points. This achievement helps them be 3 points ahead of Almeria and only 5 points behind champion Racing Santander.
After a long period of struggling in lower leagues, Deportivo returned to La Liga for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. This is a significant step forward for the team that won La Liga in the 1999-2000 season.
Deportivo's goal in the new season is to maintain a position in the highest league in Spain. To prepare for this campaign, Antonio Hidalgo's team has been active in the transfer market and brought in 7 new players. Leo Roman, a goalkeeper who joined from Mallorca, is the most notable signing in terms of transfer fees.
Head-to-head history does not completely favor Deportivo. The two teams have met 45 times, of which Deportivo won 17 matches, Elche won 19 and had 9 matches ending in a draw.
Notably, Elche won 4-0 against Deportivo in their most recent encounter in June 2025 in Segunda Division. The two teams also met in La Liga in April 2015 and Elche continued to win 4-0.
Elche finished last season in 15th place in La Liga, only 1 point ahead of the relegation group. The blue-striped team still has a lot to improve in the 2026-2027 season under the leadership of Martin Anselmi.
The away team also had a busy summer when recruiting 8 new players. Among these, Facundo Buonanotte is a noteworthy name when joining on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Elche are preparing quite actively when they are unbeaten in the pre-season friendly series. The 3-0 victory over Toulouse in the most recent match further helps Anselmi's team have more confidence before the confrontation with Deportivo.
Personnel situation
Deportivo needs to check the condition of young midfielder Noe Carrillo, who suffered an ankle injury earlier this week. However, the home team is still quite well prepared for this match.
Some new players are likely to be given the opportunity to start. Among them is experienced left-back Angelino, a player who just joined on loan from Roma.
In attack, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also expected to participate. Besides, Leo Roman, Bright Ede and Lorenzo Amatucci may be given the opportunity to perform in the new shirt.
Elche will not have the services of Yago Santiago and Grady Diangana due to injury. Fer Nino, a rookie transfer from Burgos, is likely to take on a position in attack.
Gonzalo Villar and Victor Chust are also facing the opportunity to make their debut, while Facundo Buonanotte is likely to start the match from the bench.
In defense, David Affengruber is a noteworthy name. This center-back is receiving attention from several big clubs and is expected to start for Elche.
Expected lineup:
Deportivo: Roman, Navarro, Ede, Noubi, Angelino, Amatucci, Soriano, Villares, Cruz, Nsongo, Aubameyang.
Elche: Dituro, Chust, Bigas, Affengruber, Sangare, Villar, Aguado, Valera, Houary, Nino, Cepeda.
The match between Deportivo and Elche takes place at 2:00 a.m. on August 18 (Vietnam time).
