Villarreal and Elche will face each other in a regional duel that promises to be crucial for both teams. The team led by Iñigo Pérez comes into the matchday with the intention of consolidating the consistency that has marked their campaign, after having regained confidence by beating Naples in the Champions League. For its part, Elche, which is in the relegation zone, seeks to confirm the improvement it has shown in recent days and secure the necessary points to avoid relegation.
Villarreal arrives emotionally reinforced after breaking the bad continental streak they had suffered before their victory against Naples. Iñigo Pérez's team is still without forwards Tajon Buchanan and Nicolás Pépé, who are in the rehabilitation process, but recovers goalkeeper Peter Gulácsi, who could not play on Tuesday after being assaulted at his home. The wear and tear from the Champions League match with Napoli could lead to changes in the lineup, allowing several players who didn't start last Tuesday to have a chance to participate.
Elche, for its part, has significantly improved its performance in recent days thanks to its greater defensive solidity. Last day was the first of the season in which he kept a clean sheet. After drawing in A Coruña and Bilbao and winning at Espanyol, Martín Anselmi's team is now looking for the most difficult task yet against a rival from the Champions League and in a scenario that is choking on them in the First Division. For the first time this season, Elche will face the match without casualties, as they also have winger Yago from Santiago, a first in the championship.
The Argentine coach recovers for this match midfielder Fede Redondo, who was out last day due to suspension, and full-back Buba Sangaré, recovered from his physical problems. It is likely that Anselmi will make changes to the lineup and that Fede Redondo will return to the axis of the Elche defense. Villar, Aguado and Morcillo will fight for two places in the center of the field, while on the right wing the unknown is between Morente and the Chilean Cepeda. Where there is no doubt is in the attack, since Fer Niño, who faces the club where he was trained, will be the offensive reference, accompanied in the midfield by the Frenchman Lemar.
The match will be played under the supervision of referee Víctor García Verdura, from C.Catalán. Both teams have a lot to gain in this confrontation: Villarreal needs to continue consolidating its consistency and Elche needs to confirm the improvement it has shown in recent days to avoid relegation. With both teams looking for points, the match promises to be intense and decisive for classification in the League.