Villarreal vs Elche match preview and predictions for Sunday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as two Valencian clubs clash at the Ceramica.
- DATE: Sunday 6th December 2020
- KICK-OFF: 18:30 (local time)
- VENUE: Estadio Ceramica
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Villarreal vs Elche Preview
Villarreal play host to Elche in a derby in the Valencian Community on Saturday. With 250 km separating the two, it’s only really a ‘derby’ in Spanish terms but it adds a little bit of spice to the occasion as both teams look to continue strong starts to their respective seasons.
It’s going to be really interesting to watch Villarreal over the coming months and see just how things develop. Just 1 defeat in 16 competitive matches so far, certainly represents a fantastic start for Unai Emery. They are currently in the top four but overall they may just find themselves a bit short in terms of the quality needed to break into it, particularly if they go on to enjoy long runs in the cups.
The Europa League so far hasn’t proved too much of a distraction. A weak group has enabled Emery to rest key men throughout and Villarreal sealed progress as group winners with a 1-0 win in Turkey against Sivasspor on Thursday night. Samuel Chukwueze netted the only goal with the likes of Dani Parejo and Gerard Moreno only on the bench, although the long journey to central Turkey may still have taken its toll.
Elche remain in the top half heading into the weekend, despite having played two fewer games than most teams in LaLiga. It is though worth noting that they are only 3 points above the relegation zone and it’s very possible that they will ultimately slip into a relegation battle.
So far though, Jorge Almiron will be delighted with what he has seen from his team. They put some wins on the board early doors, and come into this following three straight draws, the latest of which they achieved with 10 men against Cadiz last weekend. Having lost just one of their four away games so far, they have reason to believe they can get something out of this.
Check out our match previews for every game in LaLiga this weekend here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Villarreal Wins, 3 Draws.
- The sides last met in LaLiga 2014/15.
- The sides drew 2-2 in Elche that season while Villarreal won 1-0 at home.
- Elche haven’t beaten the Yellow Submarine since winning both meetings in the 2012/13 Segunda Division.
Team News
Paco Alcacer is a doubt for the hosts so Gerard Moreno may play through the middle. Moi Gomez and Carlos Bacca are definitely out.
Elche’s joint top scorer Lucas Boye is suspended having seen red against Cadiz. Emiliano Rigoni is their only other doubt.
Predicted Villarreal Starting Lineup:
Asenjo – Estupinan, Torres, Albiol, Mario – Parejo, Iborra, Trigueros – Kubo, Gerard, Chukwueze (4-3-3)
Predicted Elche Starting Lineup:
Badia – Josema, Verdu, Gonzalez, Barragan – Guti, Marcone – Fidel, Morente, Josan – Milla (4-2-3-1)
Villarreal vs Elche Predictions
Score Prediction: Villarreal 2-1 Elche
Elche may have been fortunate to win a few of those early games, but their overall level of performance has picked up with their new signings starting to gel into more of a team unit. This will be tough though. Villarreal have fresh legs to bring in having again rested key players in Europe, and they look capable of claiming maximum points.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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