Elche CF prepares to face Deportivo La Coruña this Monday at Abanca-Riazor, aiming to break a 53-year winless streak in their La Liga debut. The last time the team secured a victory in the first match of the season in the top tier was in 1963-64, when they beat Barcelona 1-0 at the old Altabix stadium thanks to a goal by Chiva. Since then, the team has accumulated nine losses and only three draws in their league openers in La Liga, a statistic that reflects the club's historical difficulty in starting the season well.
What is Elche CF's record in La Liga debuts?
In the last decade, Elche CF has had mixed results in their season openers. In 2025-26, they drew 1-1 against Real Betis at the Martínez Valero, breaking a streak of consecutive losses. However, in previous seasons, such as 2022-23, they lost 3-0 to the same Betis. In 2021-22, they managed a goalless draw against Athletic Club, while in 2020-21, they lost 0-3 to Real Sociedad in their return to the elite.
Why is it important to break this streak?
Elche CF finished last season in 15th place with 43 points (10 wins, 13 draws, and 15 losses), scoring 49 goals and conceding 57. This record left them 51 points behind leaders Barcelona, highlighting the need for a strong start to avoid a relegation battle. A win in the debut could be a crucial confidence boost for the team.
What comes next?
Elche CF will look to improve their away record, where they have not earned points in the first match since 1976-77, when they drew 0-0 against Sevilla. With a new challenge at Abanca-Riazor, the goal is clear: break the losing streak and start the season on the right foot.
