Real Madrid have won just one of their last four La Liga matches as they go into matchday 12 against Elche. Los Blancos could only muster a nil-nil draw with Osasuna last time out.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team is now three points back of first-place Real Sociedad after the Basque club’s midweek 2-0 win over Celta Vigo. Real Madrid do have a game in hand, however.
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Elche will hope to play the part of spoiler on Saturday afternoon. The Green are 15th in the La Liga table with 10 points from 33 on offer this season. Fran Escriba’s team are winless in three straight matches in the league and have tallied La Liga’s third-lowest goals total – eight.
Although Elche are on in good form going into the game, there is hope at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero that points could be obtained versus Real Madrid.
Elche collected a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Real Madrid last season at home. Luka Modric opened the scoring in the first half, but Elche battled back to draw at full-time thanks to a goal from Fidel Chaves. Elche’s second half equaliser came from the penalty spot.
Escriba's has no fresh injury issues going into the match on Saturday. The same cannot be said for Ancelotti, although Real Madrid’s injury problems have got better of late.
Ancelotti is likely to be without midfielders Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos. The good news is that the likes of Gareth Bale are back in the team. Ancelotti has Real Madrid’s big guns to choose from this weekend.
Real Madrid have La Liga’s best away points total after 11 matchdays. They have taken 13 points from 18 on offer. Elche have taken seven points from 15 at home this term. The Green have not won any of their last six matches in all competitions against Real Madrid.
Their best result was the 1-1 draw at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero last season. Despite drawing 1-1 at home last season versus Real Madrid, Elche are highly unlikely to get any points on Saturday.
Real Madrid’s form may be poor at the moment, but they should claim a win versus Elche. Los Blancos’ defence could give up a score as the team has conceded 11 times in 10 matches.
Although Real Madrid should win, this could be a close game with a one-goal margin separating them. Both teams should score with over 2.5 goals going in.