Real Madrid will look to bounce back from their stables prior to the international break when they travel to Elche for a Spanish La Liga fixture. Los Blancos are keen to open up a wider gap at the top of the table as they face the hosts, who have been unconvincing lately.
Elche are struggling at the moment and head into this clash winless in their last five La Liga matches. Eder Sarabia's men have been beaten three times on this run and are currently in the bottom half of the table.
One positive for Elche is that they have maintained a solid home record and are unbeaten in front of their fans this season. They played out a 1-1 home draw with Real Sociedad in their previous La Liga fixture.
Real Madrid travel to Elche off the back of a 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano last time out in La Liga. That was the second straight match without a win for Los Blancos following a 1-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Despite those results, Real Madrid remain three points clear at the top of the table, having won 10 of their 12 La Liga matches so far. They are also unbeaten in five of their last six away matches in the league, with a 4-1 victory at Levante among their results.
How the bookies view it: Los Blancos overwhelming favourites
Real Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 4/11 by bet365 to win. Elche are considered outsiders, with a home victory valued at 15/2 by Betfred, while a draw is set at odds of 4/1 by William Hill.
Head to head: Madrid dominance
Real Madrid have a dominant record in this fixture, with nine wins and two draws in the last 11 matches against Elche. Los Blancos won the two meetings during the 2022-23 season, claiming a 3-0 away victory before returning home for a 4-0 triumph.
Players to watch: Unstoppable Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has been the standout player for Real Madrid, with 13 La Liga goals so far. The forward will be the one to watch on Sunday (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – valued at 4/6 by Paddy Power).
Elche also have some quality in attack and will look to Rafa Mir to provide the spark. The forward has four La Liga goals this season and could be worth keeping an eye on (Rafa Mir anytime goalscorer – priced at 3/1 by Paddy Power).
Probable line-ups:
Elche have no major injuries or suspensions and head into this clash with a fully available squad. Alvaro Rodriguez should lead the line once again after scoring.last time out, with Mir providing support while David Affengruber is set to continue at the back.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois missed the international break with a slight muscle problem but should recover in time to feature for Real Madrid. However, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger remain sidelined.
Elche: Dituro, Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Pedrosa, Aguado, Josan, Febas, Mendoza, Mir, Rodriguez.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Camavinga, Ceballos, Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe.
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Madrid have scored in both halves in their last two matches against Elche (Real Madrid to score in both halves – offered at 19/20 with William Hill). The hosts have also led at the break in both fixtures (Real Madrid halftime win – available at 4/5 on Betfred).
Los Blancos have won by two or more goals in the last two meetings (Real Madrid -1 handicap – set at odds of 10/11 with bet365).
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