Elche vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news

Real Madrid travels away for their midweek La Liga fixture on Tuesday as they face Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

Elche vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news

Venue: Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, Elche.

Manager Martín Anselmi boasts a relatively healthy squad as Elche look to secure their first victory of the season against the reigning giants.

The hosts will only be missing a few pieces for this clash, as winger Yago Santiago remains completely ruled out while finishing his recovery from a recent knee operation, and Adam Boayar is also unavailable for selection.

Deadline-day signing Kevin Lomonaco has officially joined the team training sessions following his move from Independiente, is included in the matchday squad and is expected to make his debut.

Striker Fer Niño is tipped to lead the line up front, supported closely by Facundo Buonanotte in a creative attacking midfield role.

Head coach José Mourinho is heavily expected to rotate his starting lineup tonight due to a congested fixture schedule and the looming Madrid Derby this upcoming Sunday.

Real Madrid will definitely take the pitch without several key long-term absentees, as central defender Éder Militão remains out with a hamstring injury, left-back Ferland Mendy nurses a thigh issue, and forward Rodrygo recovers from knee surgery.

Trent Alexander-Arnold , Dean Huijsen , and Marc Cucurella are all predicted to slot directly into the defensive unit alongside Ibrahima Konaté .

Further up the pitch, the structural rotations should give midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler vital starting opportunities.

Thibaut Courtois keeps his place in goal, while the formidable attacking trio of Jude Bellingham , Vinícius Júnior , and Kylian Mbappé are expected to spearhead the frontline.

Elche CF have endured a difficult start to their 2026–27 La Liga campaign, remaining winless after their opening five matches. Sitting 19th in the standings, their form reads a concerning two draws and three defeats. After suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Barcelona and narrow losses to Racing Santander and Real Sociedad , they managed to halt their losing streak last weekend, securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw away against Athletic Bilbao .

Real Madrid enter this fixture in formidable form, sitting second in La Liga with 12 points out of a possible 15. Aside from a minor setback in a 1-0 away defeat to Real Betis , Los Blancos have won all their domestic fixtures, most recently dismantling Rayo Vallecano 4-1. Additionally, they kicked off their Champions League journey with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan last week.

Elche: Dituro; Sangare, Redondo, Chust, Revivo; Valera, Morcillo, Villar, Moreno; Lemar; Nino

Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Camavinga; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe

UK viewers can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1.

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