Real Madrid vs Elche: What to expect - Preview and Prediction

Real Madrid vs Elche preview and predictions

2014 European Champions Real Madrid play hosts to midtable minnows, Elche, in their 5th round of Spanish Primera Division. After 2 successive slip-ups in the league early on, the capital club is back on track and will be buoyed by their 8-2 mauling of Deportivo last week, which came on the back of a 5-1 thrashing of FC Basel in the Champions League, 3 days earlier.

Any further bloopers may severely dent their league title aspirations as Real are already trailing their acrimonious rivals, Barcelona, by 6 points, who currently occupy the pole position.

Venue

The first leg of this fixture will be played at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the home stadium of Los Blancos situated at the capital,Madrid and has a capacity of 85,464.

Kick-off time

The match is scheduled for 23:30 (IST) kick-off, Tuesday and will be telecasted live on Star Sports 4.

Probable lineups

Real Madrid: Iker Casillas is all set to guard between the sticks whereas the quartet of Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal and Marcelo form the defensive line-up. Out of the 7 midfield options, James, Kroos, Modric are the probable starters whereas striker Karim Benzema will be spearheading the attack with Ronaldo and Bale on the flanks.

Injured: Sami Khedira (Knee), Jese Rodriguez (Knee).

Predicted Line-up:Casillas; Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal; James, Kroos, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema,Bale.

Elche : Polish international PrzemyslawTyton will remain in goal. Ahead of him, will be the defensive quartet of Damian Suarez,Enzo Roco,David Lomban and Edu Albacar. Pedro Mosquera and Adrian Gonzalez will once again be reprising their midfield role and with no casualties, manager Fran Escriba may retain Gary Rodrigues, Victor Rodrigues and Coro in the attacking half, with Brazilian striker Jonathas spearheading it.

Probable line-up :Tyton,D.Suarez,Roco,Lomban,Albacar;Mosquera,Adrian;Rodrigues,V.Rodrigues,Coro;Jonathas.

Key facts and stats

Last meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-0 triumph for Real, who were once again, at home.

In 20 visits to Santiago Bernabeu, Elche have never recorded a win.

Real Madrid registrered their biggest victory in the league in 1959-60 season when they walloped Elche by 11-2 score.

Key battles

Jonathas vs Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos may have one of the worst disciplinary records across Europe, but from a purely playing perspective, the Spaniard has proved his mettle on multiple occassions and has established himself as one of the best defenders.

Elche striker, Jonathas should wary of his tackles, interceptions and will have to strain every sinew to get the better of the maverick defender.

Adrian Gonzalez vs James Rodriguez

With each fixture passing by, it is becoming more and more perceivable that the Colombian internatona,l James, has settled in the squad and has already become an interal part of Blancos’ campaign.

The 22-year old former Monaco man initiates the attack from the advanced midfield position and is also good at cutting inside whereas Adrian, his opposite number for Elche, needs to keep a close watch on his movements as he may burst forward any time and the latter should attempt to dispossess him.

Prediction

As Jese Rodriguez and Sami Khedira remain the only casualties, coach Carlo Ancelotti still has umpteen options to choose from and with Real Madrid hitting top form, it is hard to imagine the hosts to drop points.

Expect goal-galore from Real, as they may cruise to a huge marginal victory.

Predicted scoreline : Real Madrid 4-1 Elche