Elche’s Promotion Push Gains Momentum

The road to the playoff summit in League Two is long and winding, but the key is staying ahead of the curve and delivering a decisive finish. Elche CF is climbing step by step in the current season, turning a gradual ascent into a strong run of form. With confidence growing and conditions favorable, the team looks poised to surprise opponents and push toward a promotion spot back to the First Division.

Green streaks are accumulating. Five matches and 52 days have passed without a defeat in league play. Since a 3-2 loss at Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo on December 15, the team has not tasted a loss or conceded more than once in a game. Under coach Sebastián Beccacece, the squad collected eleven points from the last fifteen available in league fixtures: Mirandés (0-0), Tenerife (0-1), Valladolid (0-0), Andorra (0-1), and Burgos (2-0). This run reflects a growing resilience and a sharper attacking identity that could unsettle rivals.

Elche Defeats Burgos and Bids for Promotion

Elche’s victory over Burgos helped the side climb to a position of influence on the promotion race. The team’s momentum is underscored by a defensive run that saw five straight clean sheets, a feat noted by Antonio J. Pamies, the club’s statistician and historian. Such a stretch last occurred fifteen years ago during the 2008-2009 season with Claudio Barragán on the bench. Earlier campaigns in 2005-2006 and 2001-2002 also saw similar streaks under Julián Rubio, reinforcing a historical pattern of defensive strength.

The current form has allowed Elche to move into playoff contention, overtaking several rivals in the process. Sporting de Gijón travels to La Romareda to face Real Zaragoza on Monday at 20:30. A win for the Asturian club would tighten the playoff picture and potentially push Elche to seventh place, closing the gap to the promotion zone.

Elche players celebrate their goal against Burgos

Whatever the result, the Franjiverdes will finish the day within two points of the direct promotion places and six points behind the league leader, a position that underscores the closeness of the battle in this segment of the season.

The day proved favorable for Elche, as several direct rivals dropped points. Leganés settled for a goalless draw at home with Valladolid, while Eibar dropped two points with a 1-1 result against Racing de Ferrol. Oviedo also drew 1-1 with Eldense at the Carlos Tartiere. Yet among the group, Elche was the standout, beating another direct rival, Levante, with Braithwaite converting a late penalty in the 99th minute for a decisive 2-1 win.

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Elche’s schedule across the coming weeks has a clearer, more favorable rhythm compared with many rivals who must navigate a slate of direct encounters. The Beccacece-led squad faces a series of matches that could shape the landscape of the promotion race. It is always difficult to win in the second tier, yet the team believes its current form gives it a realistic chance to advance further up the table.

Looking ahead, Elche will visit Amorebieta on Saturday at 16:15, while the next round on Sunday, February 18, features a home clash against Eibar at Martínez Valero (21:00). They will then meet Cartagena, Alcorcón, Villarreal B, and Albacete as the fight to avoid relegation to Primera RFEF narrows the field. This block presents a prime opportunity for Elche to cement a promotion push between late March and early April, especially as they prepare for back-to-back fixtures against other promotion candidates such as Levante, Racing de Ferrol, Oviedo, Zaragoza, Sporting de Gijón, and Espanyol.

Elche players celebrated the victory against Burgos with the fans

Observing the team’s response to the latest challenges suggests they could enter a crucial phase of the season with a strong position, potentially locking in a direct route to the promotion places.

LALIGA HYPERMOTION. 25 DAYS

FRIDAY

ELCHE-Burgos 2-0

SATURDAY

Albacete-Cartagena 1-1

Mirandés-Villarreal B 3-0

Huesca-Alcorcón 1-0

Leganés-Valladolid 0-0

Tenerife-Andorra 0-0

SUNDAY

Racing de Ferrol-Eibar 1-1

Amorebieta-Racing Santander 0-1

Oviedo-Eldense 1-1

Espanyol-Levante 2-1

MONDAY

Zaragoza-Sporting de Gijón 20:30

CLASSIFICATION:

1- Leganes 46

2- Eibar 42

3- Racing de Ferrol 42

4- Espanyol 41

5- Valladolid 40

6- ELCHE 40

7- Sporting de Gijón 39

8- Oviedo 38

9- Real Valladolid 38

10- Racing de Santander 36

11- Burgos 36

12- Eldense 34

13- Mirandés 33

14- Real Zaragoza 33

15- Tenerife 33

16- Huesca 27

17- Albacete 26

18- Cartagena 25

19- Villarreal B 25

20- Alcorcón 25

21- Andorra 24

22- Amorebieta 16

NEXT DAY (26th)

Friday, February 9

Levante-Leganés 20:30

Saturday, February 10

Amorebieta-ELCHE 16:15

Eldense-Huesca 16:15

Sporting Gijón-Oviedo 18:30

Racing Santander-Oviedo 21:00

SUNDAY, February 11

Villarreal B-Tenerife 14:00

Alcorcón-Andorra 16:15

Cartagena-Mirandés 16:15

Eibar-Zaragoza 18:30

Burgos-Racing de Ferrol 21:00

MONDAY, February 12

Valladolid-Albacete 20:30