Elche CF face a tough trip to the RCDE Stadium to take on Espanyol this Friday, 18 September, in a seventh-round LaLiga fixture where the side from Elche are desperate to stop a poor run of form. The team arrives at the match bottom of the table, with just two points from six games, following their latest defeat against Real Madrid (2-3) last weekend.
Elche's situation is precarious. The Ilicitano side has not won in its last five league outings, recording one draw and four defeats. In that span, they have conceded thirteen goals, including the heavy home defeat to Barcelona (0-5) in late August. Their attack has shown flashes, however, with striker Fer Niño their top scorer this season with three goals. For this clash, the manager will have to plan without Adam Boayar, the only confirmed absentee in the squad. The starting lineup from the last match, with Dituro in goal and a midfield of Villar, Aguado and Neto, could see changes.
The opponent, Espanyol, sits in eighth place with ten points and has shown inconsistent form, though they arrive from an away win against Osasuna (2-0). In their last match, however, they lost to Rayo Vallecano (1-2). The team managed by Manolo González usually lines up in a 4-2-3-1 with Dmitrović in goal and players like Rafel Bauzà and Roberto Fernández in attack. Elche will need to be wary of their quick transitions.
This match represents a key opportunity for Elche CF to pick up points and start climbing away from the relegation zone.
