The Elche versus Levante clash, set for this Saturday at 18:30 on matchday eight of LaLiga Hypermotion, bears a long list of precedents. This fixture sits in the two big categories of Spanish football: the Second Division rivalry with a storied history of 18 rounds per season and a record that has consistently favored tight contests. The series shows seven wins at home, six draws, and five wins for the visitors. In terms of scoring, the home team has tallied 22 goals while the visitors have found the net 18 times.
Last visit on second visit
The most recent Elche visit to Martínez Valero in the second tier occurred seven years ago, with Levante taking the win as José Campaña struck. At that time, Elche’s squad bore little resemblance to today’s first team. The head coach was Toril, and starters included Juan Carlos, Correa, Noblejas, José Ángel, Pelegrín, Matilla, Álex, Hugo Fraile, Pedro, Dorca, and Guillermo Fernández. Subs Eldin Dahzic, Leomar Pinto, and Edu Albácar appeared after halftime.
Last victory in second place
To witness Elche’s home triumph over Blaugrana forces in the Second Division, one must travel back to the 2003-2004 season. The home side featured players such as Mallo, Tasevski, Dorovic, Zárate, Moisés (scorer), and Nino. Under Óscar Ruggeri, Elche edged out Levante by a slim margin, with Moisés delivering the decisive goal. That win helped sustain Elche’s ongoing pursuit of promotion, a moment chronicled by José Antonio Galvañ in that match report: “Moisés’ perfect goal toppled the great Levante.”
After that victory, four more matches were played, resulting in one draw and three defeats for Elche. Historically, Elche have faced Levante three times in the second tier without scoring in those away fixtures.
First, better numbers
When looking at the top flight, Elche has often managed to neutralize Levante at their home fortress. Across six matches in the highest division, the results split into three draws and three Elche home wins, reinforcing the club’s strong home record against the Valencians.
Levante have never won at Elche in the First League
In the most recent official meeting, the 2021-2022 season produced only a one-goal draw. Several familiar names remain attached to both squads from that era, including Fidel, Josan, Badia, Diego González, Guti, and Tete Morente. The Elche side was then coached by Fran Escribá in that particular campaign.
Kiko Casilla avoids a greater evil
The season ended with Levante facing relegation, and since then the two teams have not renewed their battles at Martínez Valero. They now meet at the start of a new campaign, each with ambitions to climb toward promotion. Elche sits in a precarious position, hovering near the relegation zone, while Levante stands solidly in the promotion mix, positioned well above Elche in the table with a considerable buffer. The Valencian club occupies fourth place with 14 points, six ahead of the Franjiverdes.
Historical tremors aside, the upcoming game is seen as a test of momentum for both sides. The Elche squad will look to defend its home turf with a disciplined defensive plan and timely counterattacks, while Levante will attempt to impose its preferred tempo and leverage any fatigue in the hosts to secure a vital result. This fixture is often cited as a gauge for how both teams approach the remainder of the season, with fans and analysts watching closely for signs of form, resilience, and the ability to translate opportunities into points. .