La Liga table-toppers Real Madrid will resume their campaign with an away fixture against a struggling Elche CF on Sunday.

Having dropped points last time out, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will be desperate to return to winning ways when they square up against the newly promoted Elche CF, who have been winless in their last five league outings.

The home team had quite an impressive start to the new season following their return to the top flight, but things have gone downhill for them in recent weeks. However, they will still be pleased with the fact that they are 11th on the table with 15 points in their 12 outings.

Elche have not won a league fixture since their 2-1 win over Celta Vigo back in September, and they have lost three of their last five league outings. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad. The hosts will have to be at their very best to stand a chance against Los Blancos.

The visitors are top of the table with 31 points in their 12 outings, thanks to ten wins, a draw and a defeat. They played out a disappointing 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano last time out. While Xabi Alonso’s men dropped points, they still have a three-point lead over second-placed Barcelona.

However, their recent performances have not been that promising, and they will be looking to make a statement with a big win here. Despite a number of injury concerns, Alonso’s team will look to go all-out attack. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Elche

The home team could once again be without the services of Pedro Bigas. Apart from the 35-year-old Spanish defender, everyone else should be available for selection.

Elche will line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, where Matias Dituro will feature in goal. Alvaro Nunez and Adria Pedrosa should be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Victor Chust should start alongside David Affengruber.

Marc Aguado will be shielding the backline as the sole defensive midfielder. Rafa Mir and Josan will feature out wide on the flanks in midfield. Meanwhile, Rodri Mendoza will partner with Aleix Febas in central midfield. Former Real Madrid forward, Alvaro Rodriguez, will lead the line for Elche on Sunday.

Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Dituro; Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Pedrosa; Aguado; Josan, Febas, Mendoza, Mir; Alvaro Rodriguez

Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso has quite a few injuries to deal with heading into this fixture, as Eder Militao has joined Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal on the sidelines. Franco Mastantuono and Aurelien Tchouameni will undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability.

Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen is a major doubt for this fixture after withdrawing from the Spain squad during the international break. The visitors could shift into a 4-3-1-2 formation for this fixture, with Thibaut Courtois in goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras should be the full-backs, while Raul Asencio could pair up with David Alaba in the heart of the defence. As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga should take up the holding role, while Federico Valverde and Arda Guler should be in his support.

Jude Bellingham should feature as the attacking midfielder, while Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for the team in white.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Alaba, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga, Guler; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe

Key Stats

• Real Madrid have been winless in their last two outings across competitions.
• Elche have not won a league game since the end of September.
• The home team haven’t defeated Real Madrid since 1978.
• Los Blancos have won 35 out of their last 53 meetings against Elche.
• Real Madrid recorded a 4-0 win when the two teams last locked horns in the second half of the 2022/23 season.

Player to Watch

Kylian Mbappe

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The 26-year-old has been by far the best player for Real Madrid this season. Mbappe has been one of the reasons why they sit top of the points table despite being a touch inconsistent at times. The France skipper has 18 goals and two assists in his 16 outings across competitions.

After scoring in eight straight league outings, the French attacker failed to fire against Rayo Vallecano last time out. As a result, Mbappe will be eager to get his name back on the scoresheet against Elche.

Prediction

Elche 1-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid will arrive at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero with a clear objective: to reassert their dominance after a frustrating draw last time out. Xabi Alonso’s men have shown signs of inconsistency in recent weeks, but their overall quality and firepower remain unmatched in the league. Even with key absentees at the back, Los Blancos’ control in midfield and relentless movement up front make them favourites.

Elche, meanwhile, will try to make the most of their home advantage, but their recent form does little to inspire confidence. Winless since late September and lacking sharpness at both ends of the pitch, they will need a near-perfect display to upset the league leaders. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the away team.