It is time for a change in approach. The significant progress Elche has shown at home in recent days now needs to translate to results away from the Martínez Valero stadium.
The first test goes outside Elche
JA Galvan
Elche’s squad has collected just six points from home games, the lowest total in the top tier at their venue. The Franjiverdes managed to win only one of eight away matches. The turning point came on 22 October at El Alcoraz, when they beat Huesca 0-1. Since then, their road results include three draws against Valladolid (1-1), Eldense (1-1), and Albacete (1-1), along with defeats to Eibar (2-1), Burgos (4-0), Sporting de Gijón (2-0), and Espanyol (2-0).
That stagnant run must be halted if the team hopes to stay among the leaders in the division.
Looking at the current top six, which earn direct promotion or a place in the playoff, five teams have excelled away from home: Leganés (16), Eibar (13), Sporting de Gijón (12), Valladolid (12), and Racing de Ferrol (12). These teams have shown their away form pays off while the home advantage slips. Alcorcón and Cartagena occupy the last playoff spots, still two positions ahead of Elche. The rest of the contenders from the region include Tenerife (7) and Oviedo (7). Like Elche, they have duties waiting at home.
Curiously, Burgos, sitting at 21 points at home in their stadium El Plantío, have managed only a single point away from home.
The players and coaching staff of Elche recognize the necessity to move away from Martínez Valero. Before heading to Espanyol, where a loss at home might make sense, the team had already shown signs of improvement, scoring at Elche, Elda, Huesca, and Albacete.
This Sunday at 16:15, there is a real chance to break the mediocre run when facing penultimate Alcorcón, who have just one win in eight games in Santo Domingo. The rest of their results include three draws and four defeats.
Elche must seize the moment as the pressure at home weighs on the hosts. Ahead of the match against Espanyol, where conceding at home might be the logical outcome, the team has shown progress by scoring in crucial gatherings at Elche, Elda, Huesca, and Albacete.
Another opportunity arises this Sunday when the visitors from Alcorcón visit, a squad that has struggled at home and will be keen to secure three points to climb out of the relegation zone. Beccacece’s side will need to assert themselves away from home to secure their second away win and maintain progress up the standings, potentially climbing into the top six.
Points won away from home highlight the difficulty of the task:
1- Leganés 16
2- Eibar 13
3- Sporting de Gijón 12
4- Valladolid 12
5- Racing de Ferrol 12
6- Elevation 12
7- Huesca 12
8- Española 11
9- Eldense 11
10- Zaragoza 11
11- Mirandés 9
12- Racing Santander 8
13- Alcorcón 8
14- Cartagena 8
15- Tenerife 7
16- Oviedo 7
17- Elche 6
18- Albacete 6
19- Villarreal B 6
20- Andorra 5
21- Amorebieta 2
22- Burgos 1
Fan support
For this reason, the Franjiverdes will train today after a day of rest and begin preparations for the match, while their fans will provide backing from the stands. Elche issued 300 tickets for 20 euros in the away section at Santo Domingo. In collaboration with the Peñas Federation and the ECF 1923 Animation Stand, a bus trip to Alcorcón was organized, departing from the Martínez Valero parking lot at seven in the morning on Sunday. One bus is full, the second is on the way, and many supporters will also travel by private vehicle. Tickets and bus reservations can be made from the following day until Thursday, and it is estimated that around two hundred Elche fans will cheer their team in Madrid on Sunday.
Elche supporters urged to travel to Alcorcón
JA Galvan
A good day to climb positions
Next weekend presents a strong chance for Elche to push higher in the standings. The path is not easy, as the top teams also face testing fixtures. Espanyol visits Oviedo; Sporting de Gijón travels to Cartagena; Leganés confronts Zaragoza; Valladolid visits Levante; Eibar hosts Villarreal.
MATCHES FOR THE NEXT DAY
Friday, December 1
Oviedo-Espanyol 20:30
Saturday, December 2
Cartagena-Sporting de Gijón 16:15
ELDENSE-Tenerife 16:15
Zaragoza-Leganés 18:30
Levante-Valladolid 21:30
Sunday, December 3
Andorra-Huesca 14:00
Alcorcón-ELCHE 16:15
Mirandés-Racing Santander 18:30
Ferrol-Albacete Race 18:30
Amorebieta-Burgos 21:00
Monday, December 4
Villarreal B-Eibar 20:20