Elche vs Valencia predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two sides from the Valencian region meet.
| Date | Sunday 23rd April 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 14:00 (CEST) |
| Stadium | Manuel Martinez Valero |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Elche vs Valencia Preview
Sunday’s LaLiga action kicks off with a regional derby in the Valencian Community. As it stands, there’s a real chance that this could be a second tier fixture next term, although three points for Valencia here would be a huge boost to their survival chances.
Elche fans haven’t had much to cheer about this season but a win here over a local rival would be something to get a little bit excited about at least. Aside from Valencian pride, it’d also see them move on from 13 points, ensuring they beat Sporting Gijon’s points tally from the 1997/98 season, statistically the worst ever campaign in the Spanish top flight.
They still have some work to do to hit 20 points, the lowest tally set in the 21st Century. That may prove some motivation but in recent weeks, Elche look like a team that just wants this season to end. There has been little sign of improvement and no points since Sebastián Beccacece took charge but this is the most winnable of his four fixtures to date.
Valencia are another side that hasn’t really got the kind of new manager bounce they were looking for. Previous coach Gennaro Gattuso left on the last day of January with Los Che 14th in the table at that point. While there was a brief caretaker spell from Voro before Ruben Baraja took charge, it’s just 7 points from 11 games since Gattuso left with Valencia falling to 18th in the table heading into this matchday.
Their 2-0 home defeat against fellow strugglers Sevilla last weekend was particularly damaging. While they felt incredibly hard-done by when it came to some major decisions in that match, it was another relatively unconvincing performance from Valencia and there is still no sign of anyone really taking some responsibility and stepping up to lead their push for safety.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Elche
| INJURED | Carmona, Palacios |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Ponce, Gumbau |
Possible XI: Badia – Clerc, Bigas, Mascarell, Lirola – John, Guti – Fidel, Milla, Morente – Boye (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Sebastián Beccacece
Valencia
| INJURED | Andre, Correia, Kluivert |
| DOUBTFUL | Castillejo, Jaume |
| BANNED | Moriba, Duro |
Possible XI: Mamardashvili – Ozkacar, Diakhaby, Gabriel – Gaya, Almeida, Nico, Musah, Foulquier – Lino, Cavani (3-5-2)
Coach: Ruben Baraja
Score Prediction: Elche 1-1 Valencia
Elche and Valencia are two teams that are clearly very low on confidence right now and it’s hard to make a strong case for either winning this game. Valencia may be the slight favourites but having lost all of their last 8 away league games, Elche have to fancy their chances of stopping their own rot and they do have a bit more to offer in the final third now with Pere Milla getting back to full fitness after a spell on the sidelines.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
