Elche vs Real Sociedad predictions and match preview for this Saturday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted line ups as Elche play their first game back in the top flight.
- DATE: Saturday 26th September 2020
- KICK-OFF: 18:30 (local time)
- VENUE: Estadio Martínez Valero
Elche vs Real Sociedad Preview
Top flight football returns to Elche after five years on Saturday. The Martinez Valero last hosted LaLiga action in 2014/15 when Elche actually finished 13th but financial problems led to their relegation and they’ve since dropped down to the Segunda B before fighting their way back. Real Sociedad will provide tough opening opposition for the newly promoted side.
It has been a whirlwind couple of months for the club from the Valencian region. Elche had to wait several weeks to find out whether or not they would be in the Segunda Division play-offs with the outcome of the controversially delayed Fuenla-Depor game decisive in their fate.
A 96th minute penalty in that match offered Elche a chance in the play-offs and they took it with both hands, winning both ties 1-0 on aggregate to clinch a second promotion in three seasons. That wasn’t enough to keep Pacheta, the mastermind behind both successes, in a job and they head into the new season with a squad that is still changing and under the guidance of Argentine coach Jorge Almirón.
Preparation will be difficult for Real Sociedad here as they won’t be too sure what to expect from this Elche side. La Real have started their campaign and they’ll be relatively content to have picked up back-to-back draws against Real Valladolid and Real Madrid given they’ve had to deal with a major coronavirus outbreak in their squad. They are getting players back now though and will fancy their chances of recording their first win of the new season here.
Season Previews: Elche | Real Sociedad
Elche vs Real Sociedad H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Elche Wins, 2 Real Sociedad Wins, 1 Draw.
- The sides last met in LaLiga 2014/15.
- Elche won 1-0 at the Martinez Valero but were beaten 3-0 in San Sebastian.
- La Real have only won on 1 of their 5 trips to Elche this century.
Team News
A host of players who featured in the play-offs for Elche have since left so it’s going to largely be a new-look team that tries to keep them at this level. Their most expensive summer signing Raul Guti should start in midfield in what may be a 3-4-3 formation. 40 year old striker Nino should lead the line in this game.
Willian Jose and David Silva have both recovered from COVID-19 and should feature for Real Sociedad. They’ve sold key centre-back Diego Llorente to Leeds this week meaning Robin Le Normand should now become first choice in the heart of the defence.
Predicted Elche XI:
Badia – Josema, Verdu, Calvo – Sanchez Mino, Mfulu, Raul Guti, Josan – Milla, Nino, Tete Morente (3-4-3)
Predicted Real Sociedad XI:
Remiro – Monreal, Le Normand, Elustondo, Gorosabel – Merino, Guevara – Oyarzabal, Silva, Portu – Willian Jose (4-2-3-1)
Elche vs Real Sociedad Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-0 Real Sociedad
Elche are still in the process of assembling a squad that can compete at this level and it’s likely to be a few weeks before we really get a good feel for their capability to do that. Right now though, they don’t look like a top flight team on paper and with Real Sociedad boosted by the return of some key men, the visitors look the likely winners here.
Elche vs Real Sociedad Betting Tips (18+)
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