Elche vs Real Madrid preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Elche's fine start to the seaon has helped them remain in mid-table despite their recent run of 5 games without a win.

Their opponents this weekend are league leaders Real Madrid, who slipped up before the international break, but remain 3 points clear of Barcelona.

Elche went into the international break with concerns to address, having won none of their previous five La Liga fixtures (D2, L3).

Thanks to their fine start, however, they remain in mid-table, and their home form offers encouragement, though, as they are yet to lose a La Liga game here this term (W3, D3).

That unbeaten home record will be severely tested by the arrival of Real Madrid, who spent the break three points ahead of rivals Barcelona at the La Liga summit.

They'll be disappointed that it wasn't five points after their goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 12, and Los Blancos have now gone two competitive games without a win (D1, L1) for the first time since Xabi Alonso took over.

Madrid have been utterly dominant over Elche, going unbeaten across the last 17 H2Hs (W14, D3) and winning six of their last seven league visits here (D1)

Elche: Dituro; Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Pedrosa; Josan, Mendoza, Febas, Mir; Silva, Rodriguez

Real Madrid: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Bellingham, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius; Garcia

Despite injuries to key players, Real Madrid's record in this fixture suggests they will have no problems taking all three points. Back Xabi Alonso's men to return to winning ways.

Correct score prediction on Livescore Bet: Elche 1-2 Real Madrid

• Real Madrid to win

• Under 3.5 goals