Elche CF supporters are hoping that Three Kings Day brings a win to start the season’s first giveaway of points. The Franjiverdes have shown steady patience this term, keeping faith that their team can turn a difficult run into brighter days. Fans anticipate a shift in momentum that could restore some confidence and allow the club to chart a new path forward with three points that would rekindle belief among the squad and its supporters.
As the match approaches, the Elche coach Machín, along with his counterpart at Celta Vigo, aims to ease the burden on players. Today’s clash at 18:30, broadcast on Movistar, takes on extra meaning for both teams. For Elche it is a decisive contest with significant stakes in a tight league race.
Machín on the challenge ahead
Machín has acknowledged the difficulty of the assignment, noting a string of misfortunes that have hampered progress. Yet the coach refuses to give in to pessimism, stressing that belief and focus are essential for turning pressure into performance.
Franjiverdes had sunk to the bottom of the table after a winless first 15 days, collecting only four points. The visiting Celtiñas sit just above the relegation line, a narrow margin that keeps salvation within reach but also under constant scrutiny.
A victory for Elche would lift them by six points with 22 games still to play. It would also shake a Celtistas side that has leaned toward higher expectations but currently faces a critical test of durability and resolve.
While the season remains long, a loss at home would be a heavy blow, potentially widening the gap to 12 points and leaving the club with a daunting challenge. The outcome of this game could define the mood of the home crowd as Machín and his players prepare for a La Liga debut at the Martínez Valero stadium. The players understand the high stakes and the importance of keeping nerves in check to avoid letting anxiety derail performance. Despite recent disappointments, Franjiverdes supporters are expected to turn out in strong numbers to back their team at home.
below the minimum
Elche faces a lean squad for the big match. Machín has 15 outfield players available. Gonzalo Verdu and Domingos Quina are expected to miss one game due to suspension from the previous fixture against Atlético Madrid. Alex Collado, John Chetauya, and Nico Fernández Mercau remain sidelined by injuries. Pol Lirola appears as a limited option at right back after an extended spell on the injury list, while he might start from the bench if needed.
Elche faces a tight squad for the final against Celta
JA Galvanized
The squad had little time to prepare for the upcoming match after a tough King’s Cup run in Ceuta. Elche fielded many of their starting players late in the cup tie in a bid to salvage something, but the effort fell short as they were eliminated from competition. The result adds pressure on Machín to balance freshness with competitiveness in a short rest period before the next league test.
The King’s Cup defeat to Ceuta highlighted tactical gaps and depth issues that could reappear in the league clash. Elche will rely on a core group to push through in a heavy schedule while trying to preserve energy for the league push ahead. The manager will likely lean on experienced figures to steady play and spark a counterattack that can yield goals when chances arise.
Elche’s situation contrasts with Celta’s needs, which, while urgent, are framed by different goals. The Galician side arrived at Martínez Valero under pressure after a recent stretch without a win under the new coach Carlos Carvalhal. Their recent results include defeats and draws that have kept them in a tight race. A win at Elche would be a much-needed boost for confidence and a step toward stabilizing the campaign.
The battle on the Atlantic coast remains unsettled. The teams are seen as evenly matched in terms of potential, with Iago Aspas as a key attacking threat for Celta. Some tactical speculation has involved changes in formation to optimize stability at the back and sharpen the attack. The upcoming game will demand discipline, pace, and smart decision-making to decide the outcome.
DAY 16
FRIDAY, January 6
ELCHE-Celta 18:30
Valencia-Cádiz 21:00
Saturday, January 7
Villarreal-Real Madrid 16:15
Majorca-Valladolid 18:30
Espanyol-Girona 21:00
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
Almería-Real Sociedad 14:00
Rayo Vallecano-Betis 16:15
Seville-Getafe 18:30
Atlético de Madrid-Barcelona 21:00
Monday
January 9
Athletic Bilbao-Osasuna 21:00
CLASSIFICATION
1- Barcelona 38
2- Real Madrid 38
3- Royal Society 29
4- Atlético Madrid 27
5- Athletic Bilbao 25
6- Betis 25
7- Villarreal 24
8- Rayo Vallecano 23
9- Osasuna 23
10- Valencia 19
11- Majorca 19
12- Girona 17
13- Almería 17
14- Getafe 17
15- Valladolid 17
16- Seville 13
17- Celtic 13
18- Seville 12
19- Cadiz 12
20- ELCHE 4