Elchevs.Las Palmas

The Segunda Division side are unbeaten in seven competitive matches, while the top-flight outfit have avoided defeat in each of their last five games.

Match preview

Elche have successfully negotiated two Copa del Rey ties without conceding to set up Sunday's clash with Las Palmas.

Eder Sarabia's side thrashed fourth-tier Coria 3-0 in their opening match, before Oscar Plano scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over third-tier Yeclano in the second round.

That narrow win has helped Elche form an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including victories against Racing Santander and Castellon in their final two outings of 2024.

As a result of their fine form, Elche finished 2024 in fourth position in the Segunda Division with 36 points from 21 games, leaving them two points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

Los Franjiverdes will now be looking forward to Sunday's cup tie, with the hosts looking to continue their impressive form at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, having won five of their previous six home matches.

Having fallen at this stage in the last two season, Elche are hoping to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2021 when they recorded a 1-0 victory over Almeria in the third round.

Las Palmas have experienced a dramatic upturn in fortunes since Diego Martinez was named as Luis Carrion's successor in October.

Martinez took over a side that had started the campaign with three draws and six defeats in their opening nine matches.

The former Granada boss has overseen eight wins, one draw and two defeats in his 11 matches in charge, including wins over Ontinena and Europa in the first two rounds of the Copa del Rey.

Martinez also guided his side to a 1-0 victory over his former club Espanyol in Las Palmas' final outing of 2024, ensuring they finished the calendar year in 13th place with a seven-point cushion to the relegation zone.

After wrapping up 2024 with a home game, Las Palmas will head on their travels for their first match of the new year, with the visitors looking to continue their fine form on the road after winning three of their previous four away matches (D1).

Las Palmas are aiming to reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey for the first time since the 2017-18 season when they recorded a 6-4 victory in a two-legged tie against Deportivo La Coruna at this stage of the competition.

Elche Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Elche form (all competitions):

D

W

W

D

W

W

Las Palmas Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Las Palmas form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

D

W

Team News

Elche's second-round match-winner, Plano, will have to be assessed after he missed the club's final outing of 2024 against Castellon.

Mourad El Ghezouani could be given the responsibility of leading the line after finding the net in his last two appearances.

Las Palmas loanee Sory Kaba is set to provide Sarabia with an option off the bench for Sunday's clash against his parent club.

As for the visitors, Dario Essugo and Viti Rozada are set to miss out through injury, while Oli McBurnie is unavailable due to illness.

Sandro Ramirez and Pejino have also been struggling with illness, with the pair hoping to recover in time for Sunday's away trip.

Goalkeeper Dinko Horkas is set to come into the side, while Martinez may also use the cup game to hand starting opportunities to the likes of Juanma Herzog, Manu Fuster, Enzo Loiodice and Jaime Mata.

Elche possible starting lineup:

San Roman; Nunez, Affengruber, Bigas, Salinas; Josan, Febas, Castro, Santiago; Mercau, El Ghezouani

Las Palmas possible starting lineup:

Horkas; Park, Herzog, McKenna, Marmol; Campana, Loiodice, Rodriguez; Fuster, Moleiro, Mata

We say: Elche 1-2 Las Palmas

The two sides will both head into the cup tie in high spirits after putting together a strong set of results in the final stages of 2024.

Written by

Ben Sully

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