LaLiga 2022-23: Real Madrid vs Elche: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Club World Champions, Los Blancos, will host 20th-placed Los Franjiverdes in the league on Wednesday.

The defending LaLiga champions and currently in 2nd place this season, Real Madrid is not in good form in the league. Their loss to Mallorca last week and Barcelona's win against Villareal yesterday have given Barcelona an 11-point lead. However, Real Madrid will be aiming to win this match and narrow the gap to 8 points. Winning the Club World Cup is expected to inspire them to perform better in the league and they will have high expectations of not losing any points in this game.

Elche, with only 9 points this season, is gradually edging closer to relegation. While their win against Villarreal last week was their first of the season, it will be an enormous challenge for them to secure any points at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. They are currently 12 points behind Espanyol who are in 17th place.

Kick-off: Wednesday, 15-02-2023, 8:00 pm (GMT), Thursday, 16-02-2023 , 01:30 am (IST)

Real Madrid form (all competition): W-W-L-W-D-

Elche form (all competition): W-L-D-D-L

Players to watch

Real Madrid

Federico Valverde

The Uruguayan midfielder is in excellent form, having scored 3 goals in his last 2 matches. He is very strong in holding on to the ball and he likes to shoot from distance. Valverde has been a tremendous asset to the club and will be aiming to score in this match. He has already scored 11 goals in all competitions this season.

Elche

Ezequiel Ponce

Elche's hopes will now be based on Ponce's performance since Pere Milla, who scored a hat-trick in the last match, will be absent due to injury. Ponce is a counter-attacking threat and likes to shoot from distance. He has scored three goals in the league this season.

Match Facts

• Real Madrid has avoided defeat in their last 23 home matches against Elche in LaLiga.
• Elche has one of the lowest goal-scoring records in the league, with only 15 goals this season.
• Real Madrid has not scored in two of their last three league games.

Team and Injury News

Hazard, Mendy, and Vazquez are out of Real Madrid's squad due to injuries and Vinicius junior is out because of suspension. Courtois is uncertain due to fitness, making him doubtful for the upcoming match. Andriy Lunin will replace him, having played both the semi-final and final of the club world cup.

Elche will be without Alex Collado and their hat trick hero Pere Milla due to injuries. Fidel is expected to replace Milla in the wing.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches – 10

Real Madrid – 8

Elche – 0

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Lunin; Carvajal, Alaba, Rudiger, Camavinga; Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Rodrygo.

Elche predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Badia; Palacios, Roco, Magallan; Carmona, Mascarell, Gumbau, Clerc; Ponce, Boye, Fidel

Match Prediction

Despite winning their first league game last week, Elche is expected to face a challenging match this time, with Real Madrid predicted to secure a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Elche

Telecast

India- Sports18, Jio Cinema, Voot

USA- ESPN+

UK- ViaplaySport.

Nigeria- SuperSport.