MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 19:07:13| >> :120:6322:6322:
[monks data]
Elche
La Liga
Feb 22, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Benzema (56'), Ronaldo (69')

Preview: Elche vs. Real Madrid

Sports Mole previews the La Liga encounter between Elche and league leaders Real Madrid.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti takes his side to play Elche on Sunday with his squad having recovered from their 4-0 defeat at rivals Atletico Madrid.

The humbling loss to last year's La Liga winners could have derailed Real's excellent campaign, but successive wins and clean sheets against Deportivo la Coruna and Schalke 04 have helped steady the ship at the Bernabeu.

Ancelotti will also be encouraged after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo net his first goal since January 18, but the Portuguese attacker has still only scored in four of his last 11 matches in all competitions.

Midfielder Lucas Silva could remain in the side after making his first start for the club, with changes likely to be kept to a minimum as Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira, James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric are all sidelined through injury.

Elche have spent the majority of the La Liga campaign in the bottom three but four wins from six games have sparked an incredible turnaround at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

Thirteen points from seven games have helped the Franjiverdes move four points clear of the relegation zone, a record made all the more impressive after they suffered a 6-0 home defeat to Barcelona during the middle of their current run.

That setback could have demoralised an improving team, but aside from that loss, Elche have been superb in defence, conceding just once in their other four outings.

An injury doubt remains over David Lomban, but if the defender is declared fit, manager Fran Escriba is likely to name the same team that defeated Eibar on Monday night.

Elche:

Form in La Liga: WWLLWW
Form in all competitions: LWLLWW

Possible starting lineup: Tyton, Lomban, Suarez, Edu Albacar, Roco, Aaron Niguez, Adrian, Fajr, Pasalic, Jonathas, Victor Rodriguez

Real Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWWWLW
Form in all competitions: WWWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Silva, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Sports Mole says: 0-4


ID:206518: cacheID:206518:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4797:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Pepe for Real Madrid on October 18, 2014
Read Next:
Pepe returns to Real Madrid squad
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe173771114-316
16AlavesAlaves174491928-916
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!