Elche vs Villarreal La Liga | Predictions | Alignments | Key statistics and betting tips

Prediction – Elche 2 – 1 Vila-real

Recent form

As Elche prepare to face Villarreal at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero for matchday 18 of La Liga, the momentum seems to be in Elche’s favor with their recent performances. Elche have enjoyed an impressive run in their last five league outings, remaining unbeaten with four wins and a draw. They have shown strong offensive ability, scoring a total of 13 goals while conceding only three. Their recent 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and 3-0 win against Girona highlight their dominance at home, while their ability to secure a 1-3 win away to Mallorca and hold Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw reflects a team with great resilience and attacking prowess. On the other hand, Villarreal has experienced a more turbulent period, with contrasting results in their last five games. They have secured two victories, against Getafe and Mallorca, which show that they can perform well at home. However, their struggles are evident in away games, as seen in the 3-2 loss to Real Sociedad and the 2-0 loss against Espanyol. Furthermore, his inability to score in the match against FC Barcelona, ​​which resulted in a 0-2 home defeat, suggests inconsistencies in his attack. The lack of recent head-to-head data between Elche and Villarreal adds an element of unpredictability to their next clash. However, Elche’s current form and home advantage may give them the upper hand, while Villarreal will need to address their away form issues to challenge effectively in this game.

Elx Last 5 League matches

Elche have shown a good run of form in their recent La Liga games, picking up a string of impressive results that highlight their growing confidence and tactical ability. In the last five matches, Elche have managed three wins and two draws, including an important 4-0 win at Rayo Vallecano and a solid 3-0 win against Girona. This unbeaten run has been characterized by a powerful attacking display, with a total of 13 goals conceded and just three conceded. The team’s ability to maintain a high level of performance, especially in terms of offensive efficiency, is underlined by their impressive assist tally, notably bagging four assists in their dominant win against Rayo Vallecano. Defensively, Elche have also shown resilience, as evidenced by their ability to keep clean sheets in three of their last five games. The defensive line, anchored by Pedro Bigas and John Donald, has been essential in providing stability and thwarting opposing attacks. The next match, however, will test their depth as they will be without Hector Fort due to a shoulder injury. Despite this setback, the projected lineup suggests a stout defensive setup, with David Affengruber expected to fill any gaps efficiently. In midfield, Elche have been controlling games with a significant share of possession, averaging over 50% in most games. Players like Germán Valera and Aleix Febas have been instrumental in dictating the pace and transitioning the game effectively. His ability to dominate possession was particularly evident in the match against Getafe, where he enjoyed 66% possession. The predicted line-up for the next game indicates a balanced midfield, although one position remains to be confirmed, which could provide an opportunity for tactical experimentation. Overall, Elche’s recent performances suggest they are well equipped to continue their strong form. With their current tactical setup, characterized by a solid defense and a dynamic midfield, they are likely to adopt an aggressive approach against their next opponent. The absence of Hector Fort will require adaptability in the squad, but the expected line-up indicates that Elche have the depth and versatility to handle this challenge effectively. As they prepare to face their next challenge at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche will look to build on their home advantage and continue their impressive run in the league.

Villarreal last 5 league games

Villarreal’s recent performances in La Liga show a mixed set of results, reflecting both their potential and the areas they need to improve. In their last five League games, they achieved two victories, both at home, against Getafe (2-0) and Mallorca (2-1). These victories highlighted their ability to take advantage of the home advantage, with significant possession figures of 61% against Getafe and 58% against Mallorca. His ability to control the game is also evidenced by his higher number of free kicks in these matches, despite a notable number of yellow cards, which indicates a somewhat aggressive approach. However, Villarreal’s away performances have been less convincing, with defeats against formidable rivals such as FC Barcelona (0-2), Real Sociedad (3-2) and Espanyol (2-0). The game against Barcelona was particularly difficult, with Villarreal only having 21% possession, underscoring their struggles against high caliber teams. The disparity in corners and possession suggests Villarreal need to improve their defensive resilience and midfield control when facing top teams on the road. In terms of the team’s fitness, injuries to key players Juan Foyth and Sergi Cardona are major setbacks. The absence of Foyth, in particular, may affect defensive solidity, as he is known for his versatility and toughness. Consequently, the expected line-up includes defenders Rafa Marín and Renato Veiga, who will have to step up to compensate for these losses. In midfield, the experience of Dani Parejo and Santi Comesaña will be key to maintaining possession and dictating the pace of the game. The attacking line-up, with Nicolas Pépé and Ayoze Pérez, suggests an emphasis on pace and creativity in the final third. Villarreal will likely look to capitalize on their attacking prowess, especially with the likes of Alberto Moleiro and Tajon Buchanan providing support from midfield. Overall, while Villarreal’s home form and attacking options remain strong, their defensive organization will need to be addressed, especially in away games, to improve their consistency in the league.

Team news and injuries

Elx Injuries and Suspension

• Héctor Fort (Shoulder Injury)

Villarreal’s injuries and suspensions

• Juan Foyth (Muscle Injury) Sergi Cardona (Muscle Injury)

Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.

H2H Last 5

Detailed H2H analysis

The head-to-head clashes between Elche and Villarreal reveal intriguing patterns that could influence the outcome of their upcoming La Liga clash. Historically, possession has oscillated in favor of Villarreal, dominating in three out of five of these confrontations. This trend suggests an established pattern where Villarreal tend to control the tempo, likely due to their more aggressive pressing or superior midfield play. However, Elche have shown resilience, particularly in games where they have managed to keep possession, suggesting they are capable of countering Villarreal’s dominance when they manage the ball effectively. In terms of discipline, the yellow card count is fairly even, with neither team showing a clear propensity for aggressive play that could disrupt the flow of the match. This could indicate a competitive but disciplined encounter, with both teams likely to focus more on tactical adjustments than physical confrontations. Injury concerns could play a major role in this tie. Elche’s only current absentee is Héctor Fort due to a shoulder injury, which may have minimal impact on their set-up as the rest of their line-up appears intact. On the other hand, Villarreal faces more important challenges with the absences of Juan Foyth and Sergi Cardona due to muscle injuries. These injuries could weaken Villarreal’s defensive stability, making them vulnerable to Elche’s attacking maneuvers, especially if Elche take advantage of set pieces, an area where Villarreal have previously outscored them in corner kicks. The predicted line-ups suggest that Villarreal will continue to rely on their midfield to control the game, while Elche’s strategy may focus on exploiting any defensive lapses. This matchup promises to be a tactical battle, with both teams looking to play to their strengths and exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.

Expected lineups

• Formation: 3-5-2
• Players: Iñaki Peña (Goalkeeper), Pedro Bigas (Defender), John Donald (Defender), David Affengruber (Defender), Marc Aguado (Midfielder), Germán Valera (Midfielder), Aleix Febas (Midfielder), Álvaro Núñez (Midfielder), TBC (Midfielder), Rafa Álvaro Rodríguez (Forward)

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Players: Luiz Júnior (Goalkeeper), Rafa Marín (Defender), Renato Veiga (Defender), TBC (Defender), Pau Navarro (Defender), Dani Parejo (Midfielder), Santi Comesaña (Midfielder), Tajon Buchanan (Midfielder), Alberto Moleiro (Midfielder), Nicolas Péckerpé (Midfielder), Nicolas Péckerpé (Atta)