Elche vs Eibar match preview and predictions for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as two struggling teams clash.
- DATE: Saturday February 20th 2021
- KICK-OFF: 14:00 (local time)
- STADIUM: Estadio Martínez Valero
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Elche vs Eibar Preview
This is a really big game for both teams and a significant one as the relegation battle begins to take shape. Elche are favourites for the drop but will be hoping they can get something of a bounce from the appointment of a new coach in the form of Fran Escriba. They would move level on points with Eibar, who are currently just outside the relegation zone, with victory.
It’s a big job that Escriba has on his hands. The 55 year old largely forged his managerial reputation during a successful three year spell with Elche between 2012 and 2015 when he returned the club to the top flight after a long absence and kept them there, ultimately only leaving after the club were demoted due to financial problems.
Since leaving Elche though, Escriba has been sacked in all three jobs he has held – Getafe, Villarreal and Celta Vigo. This may be his last crack at a top flight position and it won’t be easy given Elche have gone 16 games without a win and are clearly low on both confidence and quality. They did accumulate enough points early in the season though to ensure they are still in touch with a host of teams.
Saturday’s opponents Eibar, who were the beneficiaries of Elche’s enforced relegation in 2015, are one that Elche will certainly have their eyes on. The Basque minnows haven’t won since their first league game of 2021 – a 2-0 home win against Granada. It’s just 2 points from 6 league games since then and they’d have fancied they could have taken more than a point from their home game against Villarreal last time out.
Overall though, Eibar do have a decent away record this term – losing only 4 of their 11 road games in LaLiga. Most of their strong away showings were early on though and recent defeats at Osasuna and Levante have helped push them further towards trouble.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Elche Wins, 2 Eibar Wins, 1 Draw.
- The last 5 meetings between these clubs have all been won by the team playing away.
- Elche won 1-0 at Ipurua earlier this term.
- Eibar won 2-0 in Elche on their only previous top flight visit in 2014.
Team News
Josan, Fidel and Johan Mojica are fitness concerns for the hosts who may go 4-4-2 under Escriba.
Eibar don’t have any new problems and may match Elche’s 4-4-2.
Predicted Elche Starting Lineup:
Badia – Mojica, Josema, Verdu, Barragan – Rigoni, Marcone, Guti, Morente – Carrillo, Boye (4-4-2)
Predicted Eibar Starting Lineup:
Dmitrovic – Soares, Arbilla, Oliveira, Pozo – Gil, Diop, Exposito, Inui – Kike, Enrich (4-4-2)
Elche vs Eibar Predictions
Score Prediction: Elche 2-1 Eibar
Overall, it’s going to be really tough for Elche to stay in this league but we might just see something of a reaction here to the appointment of an iconic figure at the club in the form of Fran Escriba. They showed they still have spirit remaining by coming back from 2 goals down to draw their last home game against high-flying Villarreal and could just edge this against an out of sorts Eibar side.
Elche vs Eibar Betting Tips (18+)
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