Preview: Elche vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts were unfortunate not to take all three points in their 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday, while the visitors won the 250th instalment of El Clasico to go three points clear at the top.

Match preview

After Cadiz's recent upturn in form, Elche have sunk to the bottom of the LaLiga table after a winless start to the campaign.

One of only three sides yet to win a game in Europe's top five leagues, Los Franjiverdes became the first Spanish side to part company with their head coach this season, as Francisco Rodriguez was replaced with Jorge Almiron in late August.

Given that the Argentine coach resigned as Elche boss in February, after overseeing a run of 16 games without a win, the appointment was met with surprise and disappointment amongst a fan base growing increasingly desperate for a LaLiga win.

Nonetheless, there were signs of improvement in their latest draw at Valencia, as Pere Milla scored a brace, including a spectacular header, to earn an unlikely point on the road.

Returning home on Wednesday, Los Ilicitanos will be carrying some confidence into this tie off the back of their best performance this season, but face a whole different proposition with the visit of the defending European champions.

Visitors Real Madrid could hardly be in more contrasting form to their relegation-threatened opponents, after a 3-1 victory over arch rivals Barcelona took the capital club three points clear at the top of the table.

Unbeaten in their last 18 competitive fixtures, and with just four defeats in their last 47 LaLiga outings, Carlo Ancelotti's men are churning out results in formidable fashion as they look to defend their title, having only dropped two points so far this campaign.

In that El Clasico win, Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema grabbed his first goal in five appearances, ending a mini goal drought by the prolific Frenchman's standards. He will certainly be licking his lips ahead of a trip to the league's leakiest defence.

Intriguingly, Elche were two goals to the good against Real Madrid last season, and were only denied a famous victory by goals in the 82nd and 92nd minutes by Luka Modric and Eder Militao.

Given their current run of form, however, Ancelotti will be hoping for a more routine performance from his side on Wednesday, as Los Blancos continue to steamroll their way to another LaLiga title.

Elche La Liga form:

L

L

L

L

D

D

Real Madrid La Liga form:

W

W

W

D

W

W

Real Madrid form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

D

W

Team News

For the hosts, centre-back Pedro Bigas suffered a nasty clash of heads early on in that 2-2 draw at Mestalla, and was withdrawn amidst fears of concussion. However, the 32-year-old has been training normally with the squad since the incident, and should be available for selection here.

Winger Fidel Chaves will miss out again due to a hamstring injury, but Gerard Gumbau will return to the squad after becoming a father on the weekend. Lucas Boye should also start up front, after serving a suspension.

Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois once again, giving Andriy Lunin the chance to start his sixth consecutive game between the sticks for Los Blancos.

Ancelotti may look to give starts to some of the players who missed that El Clasico win, meaning the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Marco Asensio could both come into the starting XI.

Elche possible starting lineup:

Badia; Clerc, Roco, Verdu, Bigas, Josan; Gumbau, Mascarell, Guti; Boye, Milla

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Lunin; Mendy, Rudiger, Militao, Lucas; Kroos, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Asensio, Benzema, Rodrygo

We say: Elche 0-3 Real Madrid

There seems to be just no stopping Real Madrid at the moment, so a visit to the bottom-placed side in LaLiga should not cause any problems for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

As the most prolific attack meets the leakiest defence, expect to see goals from a visiting side full of confidence.

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