Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Hoping to find a route into the automatic promotion spots this weekend, Elche will welcome Eldense to the Estadio Martinez Valero on Saturday afternoon.
Elche
Starting with the hosts, enjoying what has been a stellar Segunda romp this season, Elche have continued to receive a string of plaudits. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat just two points adrift of skyrocketing into the automatic promotion spots, Eder Sarabia’s men find the mood in their camp at a real high. Snatching a 1-1 stalemate away at fellow promotion dreamers Real Oviedo, the Alicante-based outfit have suffered just pair of defats from any of their previous 17 Segunda appearances – a purple patch that stems all the way back to November 8th. Likewise, last seen in front of their own supporters collecting a 3-1 victory against Castellon, Elche have remarkably won all of their last eight consecutive second-tier showdowns at the Estadio Martinez Valero by an aggregate score of 19-3.
Elche Team News
Not making a single Segunda appearance over the past couple of months, Elche will once again be without former Clermont striker Elbasan Rashani on Saturday afternoon. However, despite missing out against Real Oviedo last week, Marc Aguado could return to Sarabia’s squad.
Completing a loan switch from La Liga outfit Las Palmas during the January transfer window, Pejino will be hoping to make a full Segunda debut here. Returning to Spain last summer, veteran goalkeeper Matias Dituro will start between the sticks in Alicante.
Eldense
As for the visitors, while Eldense might have shown some glaring issues on either side of Spain’s festive break, Jose Luis Oltra has seen his squad come roaring back over the past six weeks. Getting Saturday’s trip to Alicante underway now sat just one-point adrift of skyrocketing out of the drop zone, the Valencia-based outfit have certainly breathed life back into their charge for Segunda safety. Despite getting March underway with a 2-1 defeat at home against Levante, that is the only loss that Eldense have suffered from their previous six second-tier appearances. Storming their way to a shock 4-2 victory away at Zaragoza earlier in the month, Saturday’s hosts have also impressed with their success on the road. In fact, Oltra’s men have registered 10 points from their last four showdowns outside of Valencia.
Eldense Team News
Not featuring since opening the New Year, Eldense will once again be without former Cadiz starlet Ivan Chapela on Saturday afternoon. However, after serving a one-match suspension against Mirandes last week, 30-year-old Pina could be handed a full recall at the heart of Oltra’s defence.
Completing a permanent switch from Real Oviedo during the January transfer window and notching a pair of Segunda strikes since arriving in Valencia, Masca should keep his spot leading the line. One-time Crystal Palace misfit Victor Camarasa will partner Sergio Ortuno in the middle of the park.
Elche vs Eldense Key Factors to Consider
- Elche have won all of their previous eight Segunda appearances at the Estadio Martinez Valero by an aggregate score of 19-3.
- Eldense have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous six Segunda appearances.
- Saturday’s guests have registered 10 points from their previous four Segunda showdowns on the road.
- Elche have notched at least a pair of goals in all of their previous four Segunda matchups in Alicante.
- Los Franjiverdes have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their previous five appearances.
Conclusion
Winning all of their previous eight straight Segunda showdowns at the Estadio Martinez Valero by an aggregate score of 19-3, Elche will be desperate to extend on that flurry here. Opening Saturday’s matchups sat within touching distance of skyrocketing into the automatic promotion spots, Los Franjiverdes are pencilled in as a standout contender this weekend. However, watching Eldense turn a real corner over the past six weeks and breathing life back into their charge for Segunda safety, Saturday’s guests have also impressed with their continued success on the road.
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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