Bigas, the only person not in an Elche where Milla and John return
VL Deltel
Low
The pre-match news is positive for those following the coach. It seems likely that John, Collado, and Milla will not be in the squad. There is a chance one of them has been called up. Pape Cheikh will not be able to dress for action either, serving the second of a four-game ban from the incident with Betis.
The player who may be in doubt until shortly before kickoff is Pedro Bigas. He has trained in the final session but did not participate in the rest of the week due to a viral illness.
starting line-up
With several players competing for the same positions, selecting the lineup becomes a careful balancing act. The coach weighs many internal factors, the current week’s work, and performance in recent games. Wins are valued, even if the results have not always reflected the effort. Training is strong, and the coach makes decisions based on what benefits the team. Machín provides guidance and has seven fixed positions in mind for the starting XI. The goalkeeper will be Edgar Badia. The right-back is Helibelton Palacios. The left-back is Carlos Clerc. Midfielders Omar Mascarell and Gerard Gumbau sit alongside Fidel. Up front, Lucas Boyé leads the attack. The other two center-backs are under consideration: Gonzalo Verdú, Enzo Roco, Lisandro Magallán, and Diego González. Pedro Bigas could be benched due to flu. Right-sided options are also debated, with Carmona and Tete Morente as likely starters. Boyé may be flanked by Ezequiel Ponce or Randy Nteka, depending on the system chosen.
Suspicions rise and fall for Machín
VL Deltel
To present
The team shows strong physical form and a determined attitude. The coaching staff notes solid work during the World Cup break and observes that the improved numbers are translating into performance on the field. The manager emphasizes that progress is tangible, with results beginning to align with the hard work.
Elche faces a steadier Real Valladolid, a side with a respectable home record this season. Historically, the home clash favors the Elche camp in the top division, edging on equal footing in wins and goals scored across recent fixtures. Valladolid arrives with confidence, possessing 27 points and a lineup anchored by coach Pacheta that may include Asenjo in goal, Escudero, Sánchez, El Yamiq, Iván Fresneda in defense, Roque Mesa, Hongla, Oscar Plano in midfield, and Gonzalo Plata, Machís, and Cyle Larin in attack. This match promises to be a tactical duel between two teams intent on asserting control from the first whistle, with both sides aiming to improve their league position and momentum for the stretch run.