Thursday, 5 November 2026
Elche have built their season on a defensive shape that keeps scores low, and Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Valencia showed the cost when the attack does not respond. The result followed a 3-0 league win at Rayo Vallecano and goalless draws with Villarreal and Celta Vigo, a run of three league matches without conceding that ended against a side 19th in the table. A 3-1 Copa del Rey win at Atlético Pinatarense sat between those results. Elche are 17th in La Liga on ten points from 11 matches, level with Levante and one point above Valencia. They have scored 14 and conceded 18. Fer Niño, José Antonio Morente and Ezequiel Ponce share the forward role, with Facundo Buonanotte the creative link. Real Betis visit the Estadio Martínez Valero on Sunday, fourth on 23 points, and that match tests whether the defensive shape can hold against stronger opposition.