Elche aims to extend a positive run that currently features two wins and a draw. After two away games, a return to Martínez Valero is on the schedule for this Saturday at 21:00. The coach, Sebastián Beccacece, has a clear objective for the squad: secure another three points. “Now is the moment to pursue what we seek, not just search for it”, he told the team. He also reminded them that Tenerife enters as the favourites due to their form and results, a point to respect while pursuing their own path.
lacks concreteness
With the latest victory behind them, Beccacece emphasised the team’s identity: “We are the side that runs the most, plays with the highest intensity, and creates the most chances in the division. Certainty may be elusive, but we stay true to our style and keep finding the way forward.”
Elche-Tenerife is a fixture with historical depth. The pair have faced each other 25 times, including friendlies and cup ties; league clashes amass most of the history, with Elche having limited early encounters in the top flight since the 1961-1962 season. In the second tier, they met twenty times, yielding 11 home wins for Elche, 4 draws, and 5 away victories, with a goal tally of 40 for Elche and 24 for Tenerife.
To present
Past results favor the Franjiverde squad, yet Tenerife currently sits fourth with 23 points, boasting 7 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses. Elche occupies twelfth with 4 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses. Two notable absences weigh on the squad, John and Sergio León. Fidel is back after a rest in Huesca, though he carries calf discomfort. Beccacece confirms Fidel will be available, while hinting that he could have been ready yesterday, underscoring the team’s depth for this clash.
Doubts over midfield approach versus Tenerife
Nico Castro could retain his role in midfield, with no other major changes expected in the starting XI. Áleix Febas remains a fixture, and Nico Fernández Mercau added a goal in the last match against Huesca. Josan appears to have edged Tete Morente in the right wing, while Borja Garcés holds the central forward position. The goalkeeper San Román will continue between the posts, and on the left the youngster Lautaro Blanco is anticipated to start, having displayed strong form in recent fixtures, even if some muscle tightness lingers. The back line generally remains intact with Mario Gaspar, Pedro Bigas, and Carlos Clerc ready to reinforce as needed. All this shapes up as a balanced, pragmatic approach to a difficult opponent.
complex opponent
Tenerife arrives with a fast, vertical game that tests any defense. Beccacece warns that the match could mirror a balanced pre-season affair, demanding maximum effort from Elche to establish control and build play from the back. He stresses the need to be highly competitive, recognizing the danger posed by a quick and well-organized rival. Any lapse could be punished by swift counterattacks, so Elche must stay compact and decisive in every phase of the game.
From Tenerife’s side, discussions around minor injuries or selection choices have circulated, with Bodiger listed as doubtful. The Canary Islands club presents a genuine challenge that requires Elche to stay sharp for the full ninety minutes and to translate possession into meaningful chances at home.
The upcoming duel is more than a routine league game; it is a test of character and consistency for Elche as they chase a sustained period of positive results. The coaching staff remains focused on maintaining momentum while safeguarding against overreach, aiming to convert their home advantage into a continuation of the current winning streak.
In summary, Beccacece’s message centers on disciplined defense of their current form, intelligent pressing, and efficient finishing. Tenerife’s speed and verticality will require Elche to execute with precision, maintain high energy, and press decisively to deny counterplay. The encounter promises to reveal how far Elche has progressed and whether the team can translate recent improvements into a decisive home victory.