Overview
Elche finished second in the second second Division last season to win a ticket back to La Liga. The opening period of the 2025-2026 campaign also took place relatively smoothly for the Valencia team.
In fact, with a record of 3 wins, 6 draws and 3 losses, the team under coach Eder Sarabia has earned 15 points, temporarily ranked 11th on the rankings, only behind Espanyol - the sixth team - exactly 3 points.
However, Los Franjiverdes have not known the taste of victory in La Liga since the end of September. They have lost 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 rounds in the highest division in Spain.
Elche entered the November international break with a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, and will now look to beat Real Madrid for the first time since 1978.
Real Madrid have won 35 of their 53 meetings in all competitions. Including a 4-0 victory when the two teams last faced each other in the second leg of the 2022-2023 season.
Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano in their final match before the international break, the result coming right after a 0-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
However, Los Blancos still maintained their top position in La Liga with 31 points after 12 rounds, thanks to 10 wins, one draw and one loss. They are currently 3 points ahead of second-placed Barcelona (before round 13,).
Xabi Alonso's side also have the most solid defence in the league, having conceded just 10 goals. On the attack front, Kylian Mbappe continues to be a bright spot, scoring 13 goals in La Liga - 6 more than any other player at the same time this season.
However, the atmosphere at the Bernabeu was not completely peaceful. Alonso's long-term future remains a doubt, while problems surrounding Vinicius Junior have added to the team's uncertainty.
Real Madrid are the team with the best away record in La Liga this season with 13 points after six away matches. Meanwhile, Elche remains unbeaten at home with 3 wins and 3 draws after 6 matches at Estadio Martinez Valero.
Personnel situation
Elche may be without Pedro Bigas due to injury, but overall the home team is still in a stable personnel state. They did not record any new problems before hosting Real Madrid.
Eder Sarabia is likely to keep the same starting lineup that played in the draw with Real Sociedad, in which former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Rodriguez continues to play the highest position in attack.
The 21-year-old striker has just scored against Sociedad and could be supported by Rafa Mir and Josan on the two wings in the familiar 4-1-4-1 formation.
On the opposite side, Real Madrid received good news when Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga were all expected to be fit enough to return to the starting lineup after having minor problems during the international break.
However, Dean Huijsen is still doubtful. If the young centre-back cannot recover in time, David Alaba and Raul Asencio could form a central defender pair, in the context of Eder Militao continuing to be absent after an injury he suffered while serving the Brazilian national team.
Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal are still unable to return, while Franco Mastantuono and Aurelien Tchouameni will undergo a final fitness test, leaving Real Madrid with a few questions about personnel before the match.
Alonso is likely to make adjustments in the front line, with Jude Bellingham playing behind the duo Mbappe - Vinicius in Los Blancos' attacking system.
Expected lineup:
Elche: Dituro, Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Pedrosa, Aguado, Josan, Febas, Mendoza, Mir, A. Rodriguez.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Alaba, Carreras, Camavinga, Valverde, Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe.
The match between Elche and Real Madrid takes place at 3:00 am on November 24 (Vietnam time).
