Elche vs Athletic Club Predictions & Match Preview

Elche vs Athletic Club predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as both sides aim to bounce back from defeats.

Elche vs Athletic Club Preview

Elche and Athletic Club clash this weekend with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats. The hosts are in a bit of trouble already and could do with rediscovering the strong home form which has been important for them in recent times.

Much may depend on just how good the newly promoted teams end up being, but Elche are certainly one team that could become a serious relegation candidate if the likes of Girona and Almeria end up adapting well to top flight football. Francisco’s side have not convinced at all so far and only have one point to show from their opening four games.

Last weekend we witnessed a bit of a collapse from them against Villarreal. The gulf in quality was evident throughout and they ended up losing the game 4-0 without having a shot on target. Changes are surely to be expected here from the Elche boss with the likes of Pere Milla, Gerard Gumbau and Roger Marti strong contenders to come into the starting XI. Whoever plays, they will need a much improved performance against a competitive Athletic side.

The Basques did lose for the first time this season last time out. Martin Braithwaite’s late goal ensured Espanyol took all three points from their visit to San Mames, a first real setback for Ernesto Valverde since he took charge in the summer. Overall though, Valverde will be happy with what he has seen from the team so far and they were excellent in their only away game to date, winning 4-0 at Cadiz.

Summer addition Gorka Guruzeta bagged a brace in that game but could only get a place on the substitute’s bench last time out. While he’s not exactly an elite level striker, he could still have a significant role to play this season and you wonder whether Valverde may opt to give him a run of games leading the line at some point if Athletic do end up struggling for goals again.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Elche

Possible XI: Badia – Clerc, Bigas, Roco, Palacios – Morente, Gumbau, Mascarell, Collado – Roger Marti, Boye (4-4-2)

Coach: Francisco

Fantasy Star: Alex Collado

Athletic Club

Possible XI: Simon – Lekue, Vivian, Martinez, De Marcos – Muniain, Vesga, Sancet – Berenguer, Inaki Williams, Nico Williams (4-3-3)

Coach: Ernesto Valverde

Fantasy Star: Muniain

Score Prediction: Elche 0-1 Athletic Club

Elche haven’t impressed so far this season and defensively they’ve been a bit too easy to break open at times. Villarreal put four past them while there was way too much space for Real Sociedad to play in when they visited this ground a fortnight ago. With only one goal scored, there are problems at the other end too and Athletic look capable of taking all the points here.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.