Elche CF faces Real Sociedad on Monday needing points after a tough start to the LALIGA EA Sports season, while also closing the transfer window with the arrival of midfielder Thomas Lemar. According to El Desmarque, the fourth-round match will be played on September 7 at 21:30 at the Martínez Valero, with the Ilicitano team seeking its first win after earning just one point from three games and sitting 19th in the table.

How could Elche line up against Real Sociedad?

The outlet El Desmarque predicts manager Martín Anselmi could deploy a 5-3-2 formation for Monday's clash. The aim would be to shore up a defence that has conceded nine goals in the first three matchdays, leaving the team with a -6 goal difference. Matías Dituro would be in goal, with a back line of Tete Morente, Germán Valera, Víctor Chust, and the question of Pedro Bigas or Kevin Lomónaco alongside Buba Sangaré.

In midfield, Gonzalo Villar would be the director, flanked by Jon Morcillo or Lucas Cepeda on one side. The other interior spot would go to one of Marc Aguado, Ali Houary, or new arrival Thomas Lemar. In attack, Facundo Buonanotte would operate as the playmaker behind Ezequiel Ponce or Fer Niño, the latter on the injured list alongside Adam Boayar and Yago Santiago. You can check the full team status on our injuries page.

What does the signing of Thomas Lemar bring?

Atlético de Madrid made official on September 1 the agreement for the loan of Thomas Lemar to Elche CF for the entire 2026/27 season. The Madrid club, in a statement on its website, wished the French midfielder luck in this new chapter. Lemar arrives with a pedigree that includes the 2018 World Cup with France and the La Liga title won with Atlético in 2020/21.

The 30-year-old player brings experience and technical quality to a midfield area seeking more creativity. During his time at the Metropolitano he played 186 official matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists. His signing occurs at the last moment of the transfer window and represents a significant boost for Anselmi's project. The full squad is available in our squad section.

How is the team shaping up for this match?

Elche CF approaches the game following a 3-2 defeat to Racing de Santander on the third matchday. That result left the team with a record of zero wins, one draw, and two losses, placing them eleven points behind leaders Barcelona. The team urgently needs to turn things around at home.

For their part, Real Sociedad visits Alicante after drawing 0-0 with Celta de Vigo in an advanced sixth-round fixture. The Donostiarra team, managed by Pellegrino Matarazzo, arrives with the confirmed absence of Álvaro Odriozola and a doubt over Pablo Marín. Their possible lineup, according to El Desmarque, would be a 4-3-3 with Remiro; Aramburu or Fort, Zubeldia, Jon Martín and Sergio Gómez; Herrera or Turrientes, Soler and Sucic; and an attacking trident with Kubo, Oyarzabal and Barrenetxea or Guedes.

What's next for Elche after this game?

After the duel with Real Sociedad, Elche CF's schedule offers no respite. The next fixture is on September 12, a visit to San Mamés to face Athletic Club, who currently sit ninth in the table. This match is part of a series of key encounters the team must navigate to climb away from the lower reaches of the standings.

With the transfer window now closed, the coaching staff must work with the senior squad, which includes the injured Lemar at this moment. The recovery of sidelined players will be vital to accumulate points in the coming weeks and improve a situation that, as of today, is precarious.