Elche is nearing the halfway mark of the season, and coach Sebastian Beccacece continues to push the squad toward a return to Spain’s top flight. The focus is on crafting a version of the team that can win at the Martínez Valero and also perform consistently on the road, a goal the fans have watched with growing patience and hope.
Schedule of matchday 18 of LaLiga Hypermotion and where to watch Alcorcón-Elche on TV?
VL Deltell
A few weeks into December, the first round of LaLiga Hypermotion is nearing its conclusion. Before the holidays, Elche wants to secure a solid position in a league table that still holds promise for a team that recently faced relegation and now eyes promotion through steady, credible performances.
The team has not yet proved itself away from home with the necessary consistency. Just one win (against Huesca) and three draws so far may look modest, but the opportunity to claim three points in Madrid this Sunday could redefine their momentum. Santo Domingo will host a pivotal clash as Beccacece’s side seeks a benchmark performance to build on.
Alcorcón, meanwhile, enters the match in a delicate phase of the season. Struggling near the relegation zone and facing questions about the team’s direction, the Madrid outfit is only three points away from safety in the league standings. The contrast in circumstances promises a tense and carefully managed encounter.
Beccacece: “We must apply the conditions of the match against Alcorcón”
VL Deltell
The Elche squad’s numbers have not been particularly flattering: 29 goals conceded in 17 games, and just six points taken from a possible 24 at home. The sparse home win column has worried some supporters, who voiced their concerns at the last Santo Domingo fixture. Yet the club remains focused on tightening its performance, especially after a recent away day against Amorebieta, a side in the lower portion of the table that complicated life for several teams. For Elche, the immediate aim is to improve on home turf and translate effort into points while playing at their own stadium.
Elche is keeping nerves steady as it navigates tonight’s challenge, with hopes that a strong showing in Madrid can steady the ship. Confidence within the locker room remains measured, and the manager’s approach is to extract maximum from each match, particularly after the difficult experience against Amorebieta. The focus is on performance, not just results, and on applying the right approach when visiting a heavyweight opponent on their home soil.
Three losses in Elche
Beccacece faces some squad health concerns for this fixture. Raul Gutihave is sidelined with muscle injuries in both legs, John Chetauya has not yet regained his competitive rhythm after an injury, and Alex Martin has barely trained in the days leading up to the game due to a muscular issue. These factors could influence the coach’s decision on the starting XI.
Questions linger over whether the coach will preserve the winning lineup that faced Amorebieta or mix in fresh options returning from the treatment room. Fidel, Borja Garcés, and Sergio León could see increased roles, but it remains uncertain whether they will be part of the initial starting five in a challenging match at Santo Domingo.
On the opposing bench, Fran Fernandez’s squad also faces injuries in defense. Jean Sylvain Babin is out with a fracture, while Victor Garcia has not recovered in time. Óscar Rivas and Iago López are expected to step in as replacements, underscoring the mobility and depth both teams must rely on in this encounter.
In the 2015/16 campaign, Sergio León netted 22 goals for Elche, earning him the Second Division’s top scorer honor. The latest fixtures see him returning to Santo Domingo, where he previously found the net in a 4-1 victory when Elche faced Eldense. The Andalusian forward has minutes under his belt lately and energy to contribute again, with the hope of adding another goal to his tally on Sunday in Alcorcón.
Possible alignments
Alcorcón: Ruiz; Iago López, Rivas, Castro, Quintilla; Eteki, Javi Lara, Camira, Addai; Dyego Sousa and Chiki.
Elche: San Román; Josan, Mario Gaspar, Bigas, Clerc; Tete Morente, Febas, Nico Castro, Fernández Mercau; Oscar Plano and Murad.