Three days after a crucial win over Mallorca, Elche CF travels to Seville for a Tuesday night clash at Benito Villamarín against Real Betis. The visitors aim to carry the positive mood from the Mallorca victory into this league match and surprise a Betis side that could be distracted by their looming Copa del Rey final against Valencia on the weekend. Elche sees a real chance to climb higher in the standings with a good result, closing in on a potential top finish as the season progresses.
Betis, coached by Manuel Pellegrini, will not hand over any easy points. The Andalusian club boasts depth and quality that allows rotation while maintaining strength. Betis sits in fifth place with 57 points, three behind Atlético Madrid and Sevilla. Their ambitions include finishing in the top four and earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season. A strong campaign capped by domestic success and a late surge for Europe would mark a notable season and keep the bragging rights within the local rivalry intact. For Elche, this is a demanding test against a side that will fight hard to tighten their grip on European football while denying the visitors any mercy tonight.
Elche has shown, with rare exceptions, that it can compete with almost any opponent on any ground. Today’s plan is to replicate that resolve at the home of Betis and leave with points, confirming their place in the league and lifting morale for the final stretch. A victory would secure their status for another season, while even a draw would provide a much-needed boost in self-belief as the campaign nears its end.
Francisco is set to return as head coach and will contemplate changes to the starting eleven that make sense after the Mallorca win. The coach must manage injuries and suspension, with Lucas Boyé and Guido Carrillo unavailable due to injury and Omar Mascarell suspended for a yellow-card count. Franjiverde’s squad rotation may also see Helibelton Palacios restored after missing the Mallorca fixture due to suspension.
Francisco did not reveal the exact formation for the match, but given the result against Mallorca and the quality of the opponent, the tactical approach could be similar to previous outings. The coach has favored a compact backline and midfield balance, a system he has used on multiple occasions in his career, particularly in games against Girona and Huesca.
If the plan holds, Diego González could be favored to join the three-man central defense, perhaps at the expense of Pedro Bigas. The Balearic veteran has battled illness and injury issues this season, making his role less certain as the squad rotates. Josan also faced muscle problems and was substituted during the Mallorca game, so Helibelton Palacios will likely start in a wide role on the right given the away-from-home assignment and need for defensive solidity.
With Mascarell sidelined by suspension, an Argentine substitute is expected to take the defensive midfield role. Iván Marcone, who impressed earlier in the season, is the frontrunner to start again, mirroring his recent appearance at San Mamés where a feverish pre-match period did not stop him from delivering a solid performance. Another trusted member of Francisco’s squad who could feature is Pear Milla, though the Catalan winger has not always been at his best recently. The plan could see Ezekiel Ponce utilized carefully from the bench to avoid overburdening him after a long layoff, especially with Boyé and Carrillo unavailable for several weeks.
Tete Morente is another player who could earn a place in tonight’s lineup, potentially occupying the inner-right position he has filled in previous matches against Mallorca. Elche’s probable starting eleven might read: Edgar Badia, Helibelton Palacios, Enzo Roco, Gonzalo Verdú, Diego González, Mojica, Marcone, Gumbau, Fidel, Tete Morente, and Pere Milla. The lineup balances defensive stability with attacking options, aiming to stay compact at the back while exploiting counter-attacking opportunities when available.