Sitting 19th in LaLiga, Elche have endured a nightmare start to the season. In desperate need of points, the Valencian club now hosts Real Madrid, who are second in the table, in a real clash of opposites.
Elche have been stuck in the relegation zone since the beginning of the campaign and are already fighting for survival. Martín Anselmi’s men desperately need a reaction at home against Real Madrid. Ahead of this Matchday 6 encounter, here are three key facts to know about Elche.
Elche are still winless in LaLiga
After five league matches, Elche are yet to record a single victory, joining Valencia, Villarreal, Málaga and Celta Vigo among the teams still searching for their first three points.
They have nevertheless managed two away draws, both ending 1-1. On the opening day against Deportivo, Marc Aguado cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener. Last weekend in Bilbao, Elche came close to victory after Facundo Buonanotte gave them the lead, only for Iñaki Williams to equalise in the closing stages.
Their biggest problem, however, has been their home form. Elche have lost every match at the Martínez Valero so far. Barcelona demolished them 5-0 before Real Sociedad secured a dramatic 3-2 victory.
La Real were reduced to ten men in the 64th minute following Jon Martín’s dismissal, and Elche quickly took advantage by scoring twice. However, Luka Sučić struck in the final minute of normal time to hand the Basque side all three points.
Elche have one of LaLiga’s worst defences
Elche’s failure to win is largely explained by their defensive problems. They have conceded 13 goals in five matches, making them the second-worst defence in LaLiga, only ahead of Rayo Vallecano, who have shipped 14.
Elche have conceded in every league match this season and have allowed at least three goals on three occasions, against Santander, Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
That is particularly worrying ahead of the visit of Real Madrid. Barcelona currently possess the league’s best attack with 21 goals, while Real Madrid rank second with 14.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are among the league’s leading scorers with six goals each, alongside Kylian Mbappé and Sergio Camello. Elche will therefore need a major defensive improvement if they are to avoid another heavy defeat.
Elche have not beaten Real Madrid for 48 years
Yan Diomande in Alicante 👋 pic.twitter.com/osIqMqnGxg
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 15, 2026
History also strongly favours Real Madrid. Elche have beaten the Spanish giants only six times in 55 meetings, drawing 13 and losing 36.
Their last victory against Los Blancos came almost half a century ago, on March 5, 1978, when they won 3-1 in LaLiga.
Since then, Elche have failed to defeat Real Madrid in 21 consecutive meetings across LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, recording only four draws and suffering 17 defeats.
There is, however, one reason for optimism. Elche held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at the Martínez Valero last season, showing they can make life difficult for the capital club at home.
Real Madrid have also looked vulnerable away from the Bernabéu this season, losing 1-0 to Real Betis and requiring a 90th-minute Carlos Espí winner to beat Espanyol 2-1.
Elche are already under pressure, but if they can tighten up defensively and repeat last season’s performance, they may yet give Real Madrid a difficult evening.
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