Elche CF and Real Valladolid will meet this Sunday night at 21:00 inside Martínez Valero stadium, a match described by the Franjiverde coach as highly charged. Sebastian Beccacece.
Elche-Valladolid: High voltage showdown
VL Deltell
Both teams that played in the top division last season are not currently holding their favorite status. The other relegated side, Espanyol, will chase promotion, aiming to return to the elite, which remains the shared objective for both Elche and Valladolid.
Elche and Valladolid showed some inconsistencies in the opening round, yet time remains to adjust and pursue the desired aim.
A win in Tenerife the previous day rekindled the Franjiverdes and their fans’ enthusiasm. This Sunday, they hope to add another victory, marking back-to-back wins in the second half of the season, and keep the belief alive. Beccacece’s side sits just two points shy of the play-offs, despite many teams ahead.
Pezzolano’s squad arrived at Martínez Valero with greater urgency after three straight defeats Villarreal B, Racing de Ferrol, and Burgos, which dropped them from the automatic promotion spots; despite equal points with the sixth-placed team, promotion remained within reach.
Valladolid and Elche share similar ambitions and ownership under Ronaldo Nazario and Christian Bragarnik. In both last season’s closing chapter and the current campaign, they opted for two South American coaches: Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano leads Valladolid’s white-purple side and Argentine Sebastián Beccacece guides Elche’s green-white setup. Both managers favor bold, distinctive styles of play, but results have not yet fully materialized.
Amid mutual need, Elche and Valladolid must gather three points this Sunday at Martínez Valero. The winner will gain morale and climb the standings. Elche could move into a playoff position for the first time this season, delivering strong momentum for the run-in of the competition.
That’s why, despite the limited time, Elche fans, especially those in the Animation Stand, are prepared to give their side a memorable welcome to the stadium as the team coach arrives.
Fan area of the 1923 Animation Stand where the team will be received
VL Deltell
Elche will conduct a light activation training on Sunday morning, followed by a team meal at the stadium’s dining area. They will then travel to a nearby hotel to focus, relax, and receive a final tactical briefing.
In Elche’s starting XI Beccacece appears to favor the same lineup that impressed in Tenerife. Pedro Bigas, Heliodoro Rodríguez López, and the returning Rodrigo Mendoza from Spain U19 will be options to feature in central roles, with plenty of depth behind them.
There are several questions for the coach. Oscar Plano remains sidelined by injury, and Diego González did not train with the group. Fidel Chaves and Josan Ferrández worked separately and could return. The Crevillent-born player enters with more options than the Huelva native.
On the other hand, it remains to be seen which players Beccacece will keep and which will depart during the winter window. Lautaro Blanco, Raúl Guti, and Sergio León are among those linked with potential exits from Elche.
Beccacece will decide on Elche-Valladolid selection after activation training on Sunday
JA Galvan
A new feel could arrive with the debut of the Argentine goalkeeper Matías Dituro for Elche at Martínez Valero.
POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:
-Elche: Dituro; Carreira, Mario Gaspar, Bigas, Clerc; Rodri Mendoza, John Chetauya, Febas, Tete Morente, Nico Fernández and Mourad.
-Valladolid: Masip; Luis Pérez, Boyomo, David Torres, Escudero; Iván Sánchez, Monchu, Juric, Anuar, Kenedy; Sylla.
JUDGE: Arcediano Monescillo (Castilla-La Mancha Committee).
STADIUM: Martínez Valero.
HOUR: 21:00 (Movistar TV)