Elche return to La Liga on Monday night when they host Real Betis at the RCDE Stadium, kicking off their 2025/26 campaign with a difficult test against one of Spain’s most consistent top-flight sides.
Elche Back in the Big Time
After finishing bottom of La Liga in 2022/23 and spending two seasons in the Segunda Division, Elche are back among Spain’s elite. Their second-place finish last term sealed automatic promotion, and head coach Eder Sarabia has been busy reshaping his squad this summer.
Seven new signings have arrived, including Alvaro Rodriguez from Real Madrid and German Valera, while 10 players have departed. The fresh injection of talent will be crucial as Elche aim to avoid another immediate relegation battle. Encouragingly, the Green-striped ones ended pre-season on a high note, winning back-to-back friendlies against Almeria and Hercules without conceding a goal.
History, however, suggests a tough challenge awaits. Elche have lost three of their last four meetings with Betis, including a 3-2 home defeat in February 2023. Still, with home support and renewed belief, they will be eager to start the season positively.
Betis Looking to Push for Europe Again
Real Betis enter the new campaign off the back of a solid sixth-place finish in 2024/25, which earned them a place in the Europa League. They also reached the final of the UEFA Conference League, losing to Chelsea, but demonstrated their growing stature under Manuel Pellegrini.
This summer has seen notable reinforcements, with Nelson Deossa arriving for a significant fee and Rodrigo Riquelme joining from Atlético Madrid. Natan strengthens the defense, while Betis continue to explore the possibility of signing Manchester United’s Antony — though financial negotiations remain complex.
Betis’ pre-season ended on a sour note with defeats to Como and Malaga, but Pellegrini’s men remain well placed to challenge for European qualification again.
Team News
Elche are without Yago Santiago due to injury but otherwise have a strong squad available. Rodriguez, Valera, and Mourad El Ghezouani — who scored 10 league goals last season — are expected to spearhead the attack.
Betis, meanwhile, are without star midfielder Isco, who remains sidelined with a fractured leg. Deossa, Abde Ezzalzouli, Diego Llorente, Iker Losada, and Marc Roca will face late fitness tests. New signing Natan should start in central defense, while Riquelme looks set for an immediate role in attack. Giovani Lo Celso is likely to pull the strings as the No. 10, with Pablo Fornals operating deeper in midfield.
Elche possible starting XI: Dituro; Bigas, Petrot, Affengruber; Nunez, Aguado, Mendoza, Valera; Febas; El Ghezouani, Rodriguez.
Real Betis possible starting XI: Lopez; Bellerin, Natan, Bartra, Firpo; Altimira, Fornals; Avila, Lo Celso, Riquelme; Hernandez.
Prediction
Elche will be desperate to impress in their first game back in La Liga and will likely make life uncomfortable for Betis. However, the visitors possess greater individual quality and more experience at this level. If Lo Celso and Riquelme can link effectively, Betis should edge a tight contest.
We say: Elche 1-2 Real Betis