| Real Madrid vs Elche | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Real Madrid vs Elche
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COMPETITION :
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La Liga
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| DATE: |
15 - 03 - 2026
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TIME:
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01.30 AM IST
12.30 AM UAE
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STADIUM
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Estadio Bernabeu Stadium |
Real Madrid vs Elche Match Preview
Real Madrid return to La Liga action this weekend with renewed confidence after a stunning performance in Europe. Real Madrid secured a dominant 3–0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie. Midfielder Federico Valverde delivered an outstanding display by scoring all three goals, giving the Spanish giants a strong advantage heading into the second leg in Manchester next week.
Despite their European success, Real Madrid must now refocus on domestic competition as they continue their pursuit of league leaders FC Barcelona. Los Blancos currently sit second in the La Liga standings, four points behind Barcelona, which makes this weekend’s match an important opportunity to maintain pressure in the title race.
In their most recent league outing, Real Madrid recorded a 2–1 victory against Celta Vigo. The win strengthened their position near the top of the table and highlighted the team’s determination to remain competitive on multiple fronts this season.
Their opponents, Elche CF, arrive in Madrid facing a challenging run of form. Elche were beaten 2–1 by Villarreal CF in their previous La Liga match and are still searching for their first victory of 2026. With five wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats from 27 league matches, the club currently sits just above the relegation zone, making every remaining fixture crucial in their fight for survival.
Historically, Real Madrid have enjoyed strong results in this fixture. They have lost only six of their previous meetings with Elche across all competitions and have never been defeated by the club at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. However, Elche have shown they can compete with the Spanish giants, including a 2–2 draw in Madrid in January 2022. The reverse fixture earlier this season also ended in a 2–2 stalemate.
Team News
Real Madrid will be dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the match. Defender Ferland Mendy suffered a hamstring injury during the Champions League match against Manchester City and is expected to miss this game. Other players unavailable include Éder Militão, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo. Meanwhile, Franco Mastantuono is suspended.
Additional absentees include David Alaba and Álvaro Carreras, while Raúl Asencio is also dealing with minor muscular discomfort.
For Elche, defender Héctor Fort remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. There are also doubts surrounding the availability of Pedro Bigas and John Donald.
Former Real Madrid academy player Álvaro Rodríguez could feature prominently in Elche’s attack, while André Silva is also expected to play an important role in the final third.
Match Outlook
With Real Madrid chasing the league leaders and Elche fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone, this encounter promises to be an important match for both sides. Real Madrid will look to capitalize on their home advantage and strong historical record, while Elche will aim to produce a resilient performance and possibly secure a valuable result in their battle for survival.