Real Madrid to collect

Real Madrid are five points ahead of Sevilla in the La Liga title race. Sevilla had the chance to move within two points of Los Blancos in midweek, but disappointingly drew 1-1 with Valencia.

Carlo Ancelotti will be focused on keeping Sevilla at arm’s length on Sunday with a win over Elche. The Green Stripped Ones go into the match at the Santiago Bernabeu on the back of three straight La Liga games without a defeat.

Elche’s last two league matches ended in wins. Manager Francisco took over in November and has thus far, turned around Elche’s results. Elche are 15th in the La Liga table with five points separating them from the relegation zone.

Real Madrid and Elche played as recently as Thursday night in the Copa del Rey. Los Blancos, fresh off of winning the Supercopa de Espana tournament, claimed a 2-1 win in extra-time.

Elche held out for 90 minutes in the Copa del Rey fixture. However, Real Madrid’s superior quality came out on top thanks to goals from Isco and Eden Hazard in the overtime period.

The Green Stripped Ones actually took the lead in extra-time thanks to a goal from Gonzalo Verdu in the 102nd minute. Real Madrid battled back from there to get the win, however.

Over the course of the last four matches in all competitions between Real Madrid and Elche, the Green Stripped Ones have shown that they can hang with the capital club.

Elche have posted a record of 0W-2D-2L at the end of full-time across the teams’ last four games in all competitions. In the reverse La Liga fixture between these teams, Real Madrid won 2-1 thanks to two goals from Vincius Jr on either side of halftime. Elche added a late score through Pere Milla.

Real Madrid to collect

Real Madrid have not lost at the Santiago Bernabeu this season. Los Blancos have posted a record of 7W-3D-0L after 10 games. Elche have claimed just two wins on the road and eight points from 33 possible on their travels.

Ancelotti could be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to an injury. Marco Ascensio is also a doubt to make the team. Adding to Ancelotti’s injury worries are Dani Carvajal, Mariano Diaz, and Sergio Arribas.