- Elche are 18th in LaLiga 2026/2027 with five points from seven games.
- Celta de Vigo are 14th with seven points from as many matches.
A tight tussle likely between two average teams
Elche will be desperate to get their first home points of LaLiga 2026/2027 on the board when they host Celta de Vigo at Estadio Martinez Valero on Sunday. The Franjiverdes sit 18th in the table with 5 points from seven matches, so they're already in the mix at the bottom.
Celta have accumulated seven points, but their early-season cushion is hardly comfortable in 14th place. Los Celestes were able to bounce back from last Saturday's 1-0 UEFA Europa League defeat at Omonia FC Nicosia with a 5-0 demolition of Racing Santander on home turf, but that's three draws, one defeat and a win from their last five in all competitions.
Claudio Giráldez's team have a psychological edge over Elche having beaten them 3-1 in Vigo five months ago in the penultimate round of LaLiga 2025/2026 and we feel they might just have enough to make it two in a row. However, with both teams at 87/50 and 77/50 respectively and the draw at 11/5, this has the feel of a game in which the visitors will have to work for their win.
Opposing philosophies could create tension
The contrast in styles between Martín Anselmi's Elche and Celta could make this an interesting chess match on the pitch. The Franjiverdes boss, who has been in charge since 1 July 2026, is a positional-play, build-from-the-back type who likes his team to control the tempo and territory.
Giráldez, meanwhile, has Celta playing a controlled possession game too, but they also have the skill and nous to transition quickly from compact shapes and a low block, which should suit the hosts. Elche have been shaky at home so far, but there is some fight in the tank for Anselmi's side with a 1-1 away draw at Athletic Bilbao, a 2-3 home defeat to Real Madrid and a 3-1 away win over Espanyol.
Celta will need to improve on their average of 0.33 goals per away game if they are to get a road win at Elche, but Pablo Duran is not in the same class as his fellow attacker Fer Niño, who has five of Elche's 10 goals in their last five games. A goal apiece looks a likely outcome on the scoresheet with the away side marginally preferred, although under 2.5 goals at 4/5 looks a solid alternative with both sides likely to be chasing the ball.
Tete Morente has been an excellent provider for Elche, laying on three assists in their past five games.
