With Roger Martí and Pere Milla still sidelined by injuries in Cádiz, Elche faces Betis at the Martínez Valero this Friday at 9 pm with just three reference forwards available. One of those attackers might also miss out. Randy Nteka has not trained with the group all week. Monday featured the usual rest, while Tuesday and Wednesday saw him working in the gym, according to the club. No further information was provided, but the striker has been dealing with muscle discomfort since he left the pitch in the 66th minute of the recent clash with Real Madrid.
his arrival
Elche’s attack line showed signs of fatigue and uneven rhythm during recent appearances. He played, but never looked completely comfortable, a familiar pattern not just against Espanyol. A week before the last meeting, the Franjiverde forward was already dealing with niggles, spending much of his time in the medical sheets. He logged only 20 minutes in the 0-1 defeat against the Lovebirds, with limited involvement and even some observers describing him as hesitant in print. The latest return to action has been cautious, and the coaching staff continues to monitor his contributions in training and minutes on the pitch to gauge whether he can push through the discomfort without compromising the team’s plans.
Elche’s manager Pablo Machín could be left with only two true attacking options, as Eze Ponce and Lucas Boyé trained with the group in Díez Iborra and did so extensively yesterday. There’s clear intent from the players to take the chances that come their way, yet the end result remains marked by missed opportunities against the blue and whites. Ponce has already scored three times in La Liga this season, while Boyé’s impact has been more limited. The gap in firepower is noticeable when comparing Elche’s output to Betis, who have struck 29 goals this season and sit a few places higher on the table, suggesting Betis starts as the favorite but also that Elche can sharpen its efficiency up front if given opportunities.
Elche could lose Nteka to Betis
It remains unlikely that Nteka will feature in the lineup Machín fields for the Betis match, although the possibility cannot be completely ruled out. The striker could still see a few minutes off the bench if the game situation allows, especially should Elche push for a result in the later stages. The coaching staff will weigh the risk of aggravating the injury against any potential late impact Nteka might offer if he recovers enough to join the squad for a cameo appearance.
no others
The other two absences from yesterday’s session are Pere Milla, out long term, and Jose Angel Carmona, suspended and unavailable for the Betis game. The misfortune, however, provides an opportunity to ease some workload. Álex Collado, John Chetauya, and local talents Jony Álamo or Javi Pamies all took part in the same extended training session conducted by Machín. Their inclusion hints at a broader pool that can step in when needed, should the team require fresh legs and new ideas to unlock the Betis defense. Others trained at a similar intensity under the manager’s watchful eye, signaling a clear plan for rotation and strategic selection as the match approaches.
Collado has faced limited opportunities this season and carries a burden similar to Milla. With Carmona suspended and several regulars not always in Machín’s preferred XI, several players are stepping up to fill roles in preparation for a challenging test. The coach is balancing availability with tactical flexibility, aiming to keep the squad competitive while safeguarding key contributors from additional wear and tear.
Today the team conducted a closed-door session at the stadium. Later, the coach will hold a press conference ahead of the league day to discuss Nteka’s fitness status and the broader dynamics of the squad as they prepare to face Betis tomorrow.