Villarreal vs Elche – News and Probable Lineups

Villarreal is looking to get back to winning form in Spain’s top division as they host Elche on Sunday.

The Yellow Submarine currently sits fourth in the La Liga standings, sharing points with third-placed Atletico Madrid, while Elche is positioned 17th, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Match overview

Last weekend, Villarreal met a spirited Barcelona at Camp Nou, suffering a 4-1 defeat. However, Marcelino’s team aims to regain momentum on their home ground on Sunday afternoon.

The Yellow Submarine boasts a record of 16 wins, three draws, and seven losses from their 26 league encounters this season, with 51 points placing them in fourth, level on points with Atletico and eight points ahead of Real Betis, who are fifth.

At home, Marcelino’s squad has been formidable, accumulating 31 points from their 13 league fixtures in front of supportive fans, with 10 victories to their name.

Historically, Villarreal has faced Elche only 22 times, narrowly leading with eight wins to seven.

In the earlier match between these clubs this season, Marcelino’s side triumphed 3-1, having also won 4-0 in their last meeting during the 2022-23 season.

Although Elche managed to defeat Villarreal in February 2023, they haven’t been able to win against the Yellow Submarine away from home since May 2013, underlining the challenge they face in this fixture.

Eder Sarabia’s team comes into Sunday’s match after a 2-2 draw with Espanyol, which followed a 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao.

Having finished second in the Segunda Division last season, the Green-striped ones are now embroiled in a relegation battle.

Currently, with a record of five wins, 11 draws, and 10 defeats from 26 matches, they sit 17th in the standings with 26 points, just two points above the drop zone.

Elche has scored 34 goals in La Liga this season, an impressive offensive record, and their attacking prowess may play a key role in their fight for survival.

Villarreal La Liga form:

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Elche La Liga form:

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Team News

Villarreal will be without Juan Foyth, Pau Cabanes, Logan Costa, and Willy Kambwala due to injuries for this weekend’s match versus Elche, while Gerard Moreno will undergo a late fitness assessment regarding a thigh issue.

Despite the previous struggles against Barcelona, head coach Marcelino is likely to do without significant changes to his lineup, although there may be an adjustment at left-back with Alfonso Pedraza possibly coming in.

Georges Mikautadze is expected to partner with Ayoze Perez in the attacking area.

On the other hand, Elche will miss Yago Santiago due to suspension, and on-loan defender Hector Fort is sidelined with a shoulder issue.

Pedro Bigas was substituted during Elche’s match against Espanyol, so Victor Chust might step into the defence for this encounter.

Additionally, Tete Morente, who stood out in the 2-2 draw with Espanyol, is set to take another starting position in a wide role.

Villarreal probable starting XI:

Luiz Junior; Mourino, Navarro, Veiga, Pedraza; Pepe, Comesana, Gueye, Miller; Perez, Mikautadze

Elche probable starting XI:

Dituro; Petrot, Affengruber, Chust, Valera; Morente, Febas, Aguado, Cepeda; A Silva, Mir

While Elche is likely to pose an attacking threat on Sunday, we don’t anticipate them to contain Villarreal’s attack on the other end. Therefore, the Yellow Submarine should secure all three points.