Elche vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Elche have slipped into a relegation battle and now have a massive game on their hands as they face Espanyol in the Community of Valencia.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Elche preview: Horrendous calendar year
Following their promotion to La Liga last season, under the management of Eder Sarabia, Elche were brilliant as they flew in the top-half of the table, but things have taken a drastic turn since the turn of the year.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat away at Athletic Club at San Mames in the Basque country. That defeat means that they are now winless in their last nine matches across all competitions and are yet to win in 2026.
Espanyol preview: Faded from Europe
Following the takeover of the club by Burnley owner Alan Pace last summer, Espanyol looked as though they could be challenging for Europe and, while remaining near those places, the Catalans have endured some woeful form in recent months.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 4-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano last weekend. That means that they are winless in their last eight matches.
Elche team news: Diangana a doubt
Former West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United attacker Grady Diangana is a doubt for this one, while midfielder Yago Santiago is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Matias Dituro; Petrot, Victor Chust, Pablo Bigas, German Valera; Marcos Aguado, Aleix Febas, Tete Morente; Rafa Mir, Silva, Alvaro
Unavailable: Hector Fort (Injured), Yago Santiago (Suspended)
Questionable: Diangana (Injured)
Espanyol team news: No need to change
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Espanyol this weekend and so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pickel, Pol Lozano; Ngonge, Edu Exposito, Pere Milla; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Javi Puado (Injured)
Questionable:
Elche vs Espanyol prediction
Espanyol have been winless for a while now and yet they have remained entertaining to watch for the neutral with their last five matches in La Liga having consisted of 23 goals. Elche play some of the more progressive and front football in Spain’s top-flight and so they will likely try and punch their way out of the trouble and poor form. As a result, this one should be quite fun on Sunday afternoon.
Elche vs Espanyol tip: Both teams to score
