Real Madrid vs Elche Match Analysis and Prediction

5 years ago 834

Real Madrid will get back to La Liga action looling to make it back-yo-back wins over Elche when the two sides meet for the second time in quick succession at Bernabeu this weekend.

Los Blancos defeated Elche 2-1 in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey on Tursday and will be looking to strengthen their position at the top of La Liga when the two sides meet in the league.

Real Madrid have now won each of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final last weekend, while their last league match on January 8 ended in a 4-1 home success over Valencia.

A total of 49 points from 21 matches has seen Los Blancos sit at the top of the table, four points clear of second-places Sevilla, while they are 16 points ahead of reigning champions Atletico Madrid and 17 clear of Barcelona, with neither side able to pose a title challenge this season.

Real Madrid have won seven and drawn three of their 10 home league matches this season, while Elche have picked up just 8 points from their 11 games on their outings.

Elche entered Thursday’s fixture with Real Madrid off the back of three straight victories in all competitions, including their last two against Espanyol and Villarreal in the league.

Los Franjiverdes finished 17th in La Liga last season, just two points above the relegation zone, and are looking to make it back-to-back seasons in the division for the first time since 2015.

Elche will be the underdogs, but the recent meetings between the two teams have been close encounters, with Real Madrid only winning 2-1 in their last three matches, while Elche held Los Blancos to a draw in the league back in October 2020.

Real Madrid vs Elche head to head

The two teams have previously met on 8 occasions in all competitions, where Real Madrid have taken victory in 7 and they have drawn in one. Real Madrid have scored 19 goals and conceded 6. In their last five encounters, Real Madrid have won in four and they have drawn in one.

Elche 0-2 Real Madrid 22/02/15

Elche 1-1 Real Madrid 30/12/20

Real Madrid 2-1 Elche 13/03/21

Elche 1-2 Real Madrid 30/10/21

Elche 1-2(E) Real Madrid 20/01/22

Real Madrid latest home form

Real Madrid have been on a good run of form at home all season long. In one of their recent matches, they managed to defeat Inter Milan 2-0 in the Champions League on December 7. In their last five home matches, they have scored 9 goals and conceded just one.

Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao01/12/21

Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan 07/12/21

Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid 12/12/21

Real Madrid 0-0 Cadiz 19/12/21

Real Madrid 4-1 Valencia 08/01/22

Real Madrid latest away form

Despite recently losing 1-0 to Getafe in the league, Real Madrid have been on a good run of form on the road. They recently defeated Barcelona 3-2 after extra time in the Spanish Super Cup. They also managed to defeat Elche 2-1 after extra time in the Copa del Rey.

Getafe 1-0 Real Madrid 02/01/2

Alcoyano 1-3 Real Madrid 05/01/22

Barcelona 2-3(E) Real Madrid 12/01/22

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid 16/01/22

Elche 1-2(E) Real Madrid 20/01/22

Elche latest home form

Despite losing their last home game 2-1 to Real Madrid after extra time in the Copa del Rey, Elche have recently been on a relatively good form, having been unbeaten in three matches prior to that. In their last five matches, they have won two, drawn one and lost two.

Elche 0-3 Real Betis 21/11/21

Elche 3-1 Cadiz 05/12/21

Elche 0-0 Granada 02/01/22

Elche 1-0 Villarreal 16/01/22

Elche 1-2(E) Real Madrid 20/01/22

Elche latest away form

Elche have recently been on a relatively good form on the road, having lost just two of their eight most recent matches. They recently defeated Almeria 2-1 in the Copa del Rey. In their last five away matches, they have scored 8 goals and conceded 7 in the process.

Valencia 2-1 Elche 11/12/21

Unionistas de Salamanca 0-1 Elche 15/12/21

Barcelona 3-2 Elche 18/12/21

Almeria 1-2 Elche 06/01/22

Espanyol 1-2 Elche 10/01/22

Real Madrid news

Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz will again be absent through injury, but Dani Carvajal could potentially be available after recently being absent due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, Ferland Mendy, Karim Benzema and Casemiro will return to the first XI, while Eder Militao is back from a suspension.

Elche news

Elche’s Kiko Casilla, Josema, Javier Pastore, Helibelton Palacios and Pablo Piatti remain doubts following recent positive COVID-19 tests.

Enzo Roco will still be absent with a muscular problem, while Tete Morente, Pere Milla, Verdu and Edgar Badia are among those in line to return to the starting XI on Sunday.

Prediction and Odds

Elche impressed last time out and could want to challenge Real Madrid once again. However, with a number of absent players in their squad, and with the big names making a return to Los Blancos’ lineup plus the home advantage, we see the game ending in favour of the hosts.

Odds: 1 1.60 X 2.20 2 2.50