Deportivo vs Elche – News and Probable Lineups

Deportivo La Coruna is set to kick off their campaign back in Spain’s top division with a matchup against Elche on Monday.

The home team secured their promotion by finishing second in last year’s Segunda Division, whereas Elche wrapped up the 2025-26 La Liga season in 15th place.

Match overview

Deportivo completed the 2025-26 Segunda Division season in second, achieving 22 victories, 11 draws, and 9 losses across 42 games for a total of 77 points, positioning them just three points clear of third-placed Almeria and five points adrift of champions Racing Santander.

The Blue and Whites are returning to this tier for the first time since the 2017-18 season, having spent several years in the lower division, marking a challenging phase in their history.

Deportivo is known for winning La Liga in the 1999-2000 season, though their primary goal this year will be to establish themselves at this level again, and the summer transfer window has been particularly active for the club.

In fact, head coach Antonio Hidalgo’s squad has introduced seven new players this summer, with the most significant signing, in terms of transfer fee, being Leo Roman from Mallorca.

Historically, Deportivo has faced Elche 45 times, securing 17 wins, while suffering 19 defeats. Only nine matches have ended in a draw between the two teams.

Elche emerged victorious with a 4-0 scoreline against Deportivo in their last encounter in June 2025, a match held in Spain’s second tier.

This will mark the first time these two teams have faced each other in Spain’s top flight since April 2015, where the result was also a 4-0 win for Elche.

The visitors concluded last season in La Liga in 15th, finishing just one point above the relegation zone, indicating room for improvement in the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Now under the guidance of Martin Anselmi, Elche has made eight new signings this summer, including Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Elche experienced an undefeated pre-season and heads into this fixture after a confidence-boosting 3-0 victory over French side Toulouse.

Team News

Deportivo will need to assess the condition of young midfielder Noe Carrillo, who is dealing with an ankle injury incurred earlier this week, but apart from this, the home side looks to be in good form.

Several new signings are anticipated to appear in the starting XI for the home side during this match, including veteran left-back Angelino, who has joined on loan from Roma.

Experienced forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also expected to play a role in the attacking front, alongside fellow new arrivals Leo Roman, Bright Ede, and Lorenzo Amatucci.

On the other hand, Elche will be missing injured players Yago Santiago and Grady Diangana.

Fer Nino, a new addition from Burgos, is likely to take up a position in the attack.

Furthermore, Gonzalo Villar and Victor Chust are expected to make their debuts, although Buonanotte may start the match on the substitutes’ bench this weekend.

David Affengruber, who has been linked with several major clubs, will be a notable inclusion in Elche’s defensive lineup.

Deportivo La Coruna probable starting XI:

Romance; Navarro, Ede, Noubi, Angelino; Amatucci, Soriano, Villars; Cross; Nsongo, Aubameyang

Elche probable starting XI:

Dituro; Chust, Rice, Affengruber; Sangare, Village, Water, Valera; Houary, Nino, Stew

This match promises to be intriguing as Deportivo embarks on their journey back in the top division. A closely contested game is expected, with the possibility of the points being shared in a low-scoring draw.