Preview: Real Valladolid vs. Elche - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Valladolid welcome bottom side Elche to the Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Saturday, looking to make it three wins in a row in front of their own fans.

Pucela's mini-bubble was burst on the weekend with a 2-0 away defeat to Osasuna, while the visitors missed a late penalty at Getafe to leave them six points adrift at the foot of the early LaLiga standings.

Match preview

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There seems to be a real feeling of optimism at Real Valladolid at the moment, who have impressed with their fearless brand of football under enthusiastic head coach Pacheta.

While Los Blanquivioletas were smothered by a dominant Osasuna last weekend, the newly-promoted side had previously picked up two consecutive wins in the pouring rain at the Jose Zorrilla, as they thrashed Celta Vigo 4-1 before ending Real Sociedad's eight-game winning streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

Former Real Betis striker Sergio Leon has been at the heart of the action, as he scored, missed a penalty, and then scored again in the space of five minutes against Celta.

The 33-year-old then grabbed an emphatic winner against La Real, crashing the ball in off the post in the 16th minute to secure a fourth win of the season for Pacheta's side.

Pucela have also been buoyed by the return of Ecuadorian winger Gonzalo Plata in recent weeks, who managed 45 minutes at El Sadar last weekend.

Returning home this weekend, facing the only side yet to win in LaLiga so far this season, Valladolid will be confident of rediscovering their winning form once again.

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Elche, on the other hand, are enduring a miserable start to the season and have the lowest points tally of any side in Europe's top five leagues, with four draws and eight defeats to their name.

Having already switched managers this campaign, welcoming back former coach Jorge Almiron at the start of September, the bottom side remain winless in the Spanish top flight since a 3-1 win over Getafe in May.

Los Ilicitanos could not repeat the trick against Los Azulones last weekend, however, as star striker Lucas Boye missed an 87th-minute penalty in an agonising 1-0 loss to the Madrid side.

Going forward, Elche have shown some promise in recent outings, with 2-2 draws at Valencia and Espanyol proving that there is some firepower in amongst the ranks.

Nonetheless, with a league-high 27 goals conceded so far, Almiron's men will be desperate to improve the look of the LaLiga table before the World Cup break arrives.

Team News

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The hosts will continue without Moroccan midfielder Anuar Tuhami, who unfortunately ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament earlier in the season, while Mickael Malsa (muscular) and Kenedy (groin) are also unavailable.

Promising full-back Ivan Fresneda should be back in contention for a place in the starting XI after his return from injury but will face competition from Lucas Rosa, who has performed well in his absence.

The visitors will be without former Newcastle United centre-back Federico Fernandez, while fellow defender Helibelton Palacios will also miss out with a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Fidel Chaves also has a hamstring issue, while Javier Pastore continues his spell on the sidelines with a calf injury.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Olaza, Sanchez, El Yamiq, Fernandez, Rosa; Monchu, Mesa, Aguado; Leon, Plata

Elche possible starting lineup:

Badia; Clerc, Bigas, Roco, Verdu, Josan; Gumbau, Collado, Mascarell; Boye, Milla

We say: Real Valladolid 2-1 Elche

Things are becoming increasingly desperate for Elche, who have two games against recently-promoted sides to come before the World Cup break.

Pacheta's side are riding a wave of home form at the moment though, and while we can see the struggling visitors scoring at the Jose Zorrilla on Saturday, we think that they will struggle to hold on for a result.

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