Elche vs Villareal Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Elche vs Villareal Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: January 3rd, 2025 | Estadio Martínez Valero | La Liga | 17:30 (GMT)

After almost a fortnight off for the winter break, La Liga is well and truly back, and in this instance hosting an intriguing match up between two teams in the top half of the table. With games in hand over the three above them, Villareal could solidify a top four spot with a win away at Elche. The hosts on the other hand are beating expectations bestowed upon the newly promoted side, and remain one of three La Liga teams yet to be beaten at home this season.

Key Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals at 1.80 odds (talkSPORT BET) represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Elche vs Villareal Predicted Lineups

Elche Predicted XI: Pena; Donald, Affengruber, Bigas; Neto, Nunez, Aguado, Febas, Valera; Rodriguez, Mir

Team News: Hector Fort, Andre Silva, and Grady Diangana are all set to be misses due to varying injuries. Federico Redonda is suspended due to the red card he picked up last time out against Rayo Vallecano.

Villareal Predicted XI: Luiz Junior; Navarro, Marin, Foyth, Cardona; Pepe, Comesana, Parejo, Moleiro; Mikautadze, Perez

Team News: Tajon Buchanan and Renato Veiga are suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Alfonso Pedraza, Santiago Mourino, Thomas Partey, Pau Cabanes, Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa are all set to be unavailable due to injury. Finally, Ilias Akhomach and Pape Gueye are away at the AFCON.

Elche vs Villareal Current League Standings

Elche sit mid-table in 9th position with 22 points from 17 games, maintaining a respectable defensive record with only 20 goals conceded. While they are safe from immediate relegation pressure, a surprise win against a top-four opponent would propel them toward the 7th-place European play-off conversation.

Villarreal are currently flying high in 4th place with 35 points, underpinned by the league's fourth-best attack (31 goals). With two games in hand over the teams directly above them, a win here is crucial to cement their position in the Champions League spots and potentially close the gap on the top three as the season intensifies.

Elche vs Villareal Head-to-Head Timeline

Occasionally a second division fixture in the past, this fixture has not occurred regularly over recent years due to Villareal’s stable position in the Spanish top flight, and Elche’s yo-yo-like form. Over their last 16 meetings, Elche have four wins, Villareal have six, and there have been six draws.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• February 2023: Elche 3-1 Villareal (La Liga)
• September 2022: Villareal 4-0 Elche (La Liga)
• January 2022: Elche 1-0 Villareal (La Liga)
• September 2021: Villareal 4-1 Elche (La Liga)
• February 2021: Elche 2-2 Villareal (La Liga)

Recent Elche and Villareal Matches Analysis

Elche Last 5 Matches:

• Elche 4-0 Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
• Eibar 0-1 Elche (Copa del Rey)
• Mallorca 3-1 Elche (La Liga)
• Elche 3-0 Girona (La Liga)
• Quintanar del Rey 1-2 **Elche (Copa del Rey)

Elche head into this fixture as a dangerous side in top form, having won four of their last five matches. They were particularly impressive at home in December, dismantling both Girona and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. While they stumbled in a 3-1 loss to Mallorca, their cup pedigree remained intact as they navigated tricky away ties against Quintanar del Rey and Eibar to advance in the Copa del Rey.

Villareal Last 5 Matches:

• Villareal 0-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
• Racing Santander 2-1 Villareal** (Copa del Rey)
• Villareal 2-3 Copenhagen (Champions League)
• Villareal 2-0 Getafe (La Liga)
• CA Antoniano 1-1 Villareal (Copa del Rey)

Villarreal’s recent form has been a tale of two competitions. In La Liga, they were on a four-game winning streak before falling 2-0 to Barcelona just before Christmas. However, their cup form has been a concern; they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Racing Santander (2-1) and suffered a frustrating 3-2 defeat to Copenhagen in the Champions League. They will be looking to January to reset their defensive structure.

Elche vs Villareal Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with 60% confidence in over 2.5 goals. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Elche vs Villareal Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 odds - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted plenty of goals in this fixture. Their form and head-to-head record justify confidence in this selection.

Key Players to Watch: Elche vs Villareal

Rafa Mir (Elche): Rafa Mir is the focal point of Elche’s resurgent attack and arrives at this fixture in peak form. He was instrumental in the recent 4-0 demolition of Rayo Vallecano and has become the team's primary outlet for direct play. Against a Villarreal side that has struggled to defend crosses and set pieces in their recent losing streak, Mir’s aerial dominance and physical presence in the box make him the man to watch.

Ayoze Pérez (Villarreal): With several midfield and defensive players suspended or injured, Villarreal will look to the veteran leadership and versatility of Ayoze Pérez. Ayoze has been their most efficient forward this term, blending 4 goals with 4 assists. His intelligence in finding pockets of space will be crucial in breaking down an Elche side that has yet to lose at home this season.

Elche vs Villareal Match Facts

Broadcast Details: Premier Sports Player & La Liga TV

Stadium Information: Located on the eastern edge of Elche in the province of Alicante, the Martínez Valero was built in 1976. It has a capacity of 31,388, making it the second-largest stadium in the Valencian Community. The venue has a significant history, having hosted matches for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Referee: Yet to be announced.