Elche vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Elche have returned to La Liga following their promotion last season and the Valencians kick off their stint back in the top-flight against Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis.
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 Elche vs Real Betis may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Elche preview: Back in La Liga
Elche head into the 2025/26 La Liga campaign on the back of winning the second-tier title under the management of Eder Sarabia, who has a very high opinion of his football, and if results from last year are to go by, then that is a reasonable opinion, too.
The Valencians have been reasonably busy in the summer transfer window, with the standout signings being that of Uruguayan striker Alvaro joining from Real Madrid on a permanent basis, whilst Leo Petrot has arrived on a free transfer from Saint-Etienne.
Real Betis preview: Difficult summer for Betis
Coached by former Manchester City and West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis were great in the second-half of last season as they pushed for UEFA Champions League qualification and reached the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Over the summer, though, the Andalusians have lost several key players over the summer with Johnny Cardoso having moved to Atletico Madrid and Antony returning to Manchester United after his successful loan spell at the Benito Villamarin.
Elche team news: Not too much
Elche will be confident they can put out their strongest eleven on the opening day of the season with no fresh concerns as Yago Santiago remains sidelined due to a knee issue.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Matias Dituro; Alvaro Nunez, Diaby, Victor Chust, Petrot; Aleix Febas, Federico Redondo, Neto; Josan, Alvaro, Jairo Izquierdo
Unavailable: Yago Santiago (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Betis team news: Isco out
Isco is enjoying a romantic renaissance to his career but he is sidelined on the opening day with new signing Nelson Deossa a doubt alongside Marc Roca and Abde Ez.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pau Lopez; Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan, Junior Firpo; Sergi Altimira, Fornals; Rodrigo Riquelme, Lo Celso, Chimy Avila; Cucho
Unavailable: Isco (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Llorente (Injured), Nelson Deossa (Injured), Marc Roca (Injured), Abde Ez (Injured), Iker Losada (Injured)
Elche vs Real Betis prediction
Elche came up playing an entertaining style of football and it remains to be seen as to whether they will make changes to that. The Valencians will be expected to continue to get on the front foot and that could end up proving to be naïve. They face a Betis side that will have a lot of business to do before the end of the season with their star men from the back end of last year either injured or having left such as Isco, Antony and Jesus Rodriguez. As a result, it may well be a good bet to side with Elche for this one.
Elche vs Real Betis tip: Double chance – Elche to win or draw
