Villarreal vs Elche Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a regional derby at El Madrigal on Sunday afternoon as an impressive but frustrated Villarreal side welcome a struggling Elche team.
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+
Villarreal preview: Top four Villarreal
Just as it appeared as though Villarreal could get themselves back to holding onto the coattails of La Liga's title race, the Yellow Submarine have succumbed to another defeat against the very best with a 4-1 loss against Barcelona at Camp Nou last weekend.
Marcelino has done a generally very impressive job at El Madrigal but there will be frustration at the fact that they get into a position to knock on the door but they struggle to really ever barge it down.
Elche preview: Entertaining but struggling
Elche started the season extremely well with maverick coach Eder Sarabia, having gained promotion to the top-flight last season, but they have been utterly woeful since the turn of the year and are now in danger.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Espanyol at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, extending their winless run of form to ten matches across all competitions.
Villarreal team news: Attacking doubts
Villarreal have key doubts in the final third at the moment with Gerard Moreno working his way back to full fitness, while Ayoze Perez is a fresh doubt for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Santiago Mourino, Pau Navarro, Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Pepe, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Alberto Moleiro; Mikautadze, Buchanan
Unavailable: Costa (Injured), Foyth (Injured), Pau Cabanes (Injured)
Questionable: Kambwala (Injured), Gerard (Injured), Ayoze (Injured)
Elche team news: Pedro Bigas a doubt
Pedro Bigas is a fresh doubt for Elche this weekend, while versatile midfielder Yago Santiago remains unavailable due to suspension for the visitors.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Matias Dituro; Tete Morente, Affengruber, Victor Chust, Petrot; Aleix Febas, Marcos Aguado; German Valera, Josan, Rafa Mir; Silva
Unavailable: Hector Fort (Injured), Yago Santiago (Suspended)
Questionable: Pedro Bigas (Injured)
Villarreal vs Elche prediction
Elche will believe they can play their way out of trouble, as is their want, as they tried to do in that draw with out of form Espanyol last week. Villarreal, with their home advantage, will still, though, be viewed as firm favourites and, at their very best, can completely out play teams and actually blow them away, especially when they have their home advantage.
Villarreal vs Elche tip: Villarreal to win -1 handicap
