With ten of their last 14 league halves featuring exactly one goal, alongside four of the previous six halves in competitive H2Hs, this tough clash vs title-chasing Atletico Madrid could be closer than the odds suggest.
Elche
Elche’s vital 1-0 win over Levante boosted their La Liga survival hopes, having previously gone seven games without victory. With ten of their last 14 league halves featuring exactly one goal, alongside four of the previous six halves in competitive H2Hs, this tough clash vs title-chasing Atletico Madrid could be closer than the odds suggest. Belying their lowly league standing, Elche haven’t lost in six home league outings, scoring exactly one first-half goal in the last three. Furthermore, they’ve only lost once after netting the opener in home La Liga games this term, suggesting a good start might be their best chance of a shock result.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao saw them miss the opportunity to go five points clear at the top of the table but thrillingly for neutrals, and it means the top four go into this round separated by just a few points! Interestingly, they’ve given almost nothing away just before and after HT, conceding just once whilst scoring 25 times between the 30th and 60th minute in league action this term. Stuttering four-game La Liga away form is a concern, as is scoring just one first-half goal therein. However, they’ve been stronger this season during the second half, having scored 14 (60.87 per cent) of 23 away league goals after HT. Furthermore, going unbeaten in 86.67 per cent of La Liga away matches entered as favourites this term is encouraging.
All five of Elche winger Fidel’s La Liga goals this term came at home, none later than the 55th minute and the last four in score draws. Another potential first scorer, Angel Correa, has scored three goals in as many games for Atlético, each coming between the 35th minute and HT. No team has won a higher first-half corner average on the road than Atlético (2.88) this La Liga campaign.