Elche Summary

Elche put in a respectable performance under new manager Pablo Machin last time out against Atletico Madrid. Despite the loss in the capital the dressing room remains upbeat and committed, still feeling the benefit of the change in dynamic that Machin has brought.

Elche fans will now get their first chance to welcome the club’s fifth manager of 2022/23, but Pablo Machin will be without two more players after finishing with nine men in the 2-0 loss in Madrid.

Gonzalo Verdu was sent off so the rock-bottom side will need to make at least one move in the defence. Also out is Quina but he was not pushing for a place in the starting side.

New Argentina signing Lisandro Magallán is set to improve their backline, but the centre back won’t be ready in time to cover Verdu here. It looks likely Enzo Roco begins.

John Chetauya and Josan Ferrandez remain out while Lirola is a huge Doubt.

 

Celta Summary

In terms of results, Celta are yet to benefit from a mid-season change of manager. Recently appointed boss Carlos Carvalhal has yet to transfer some early round Copa Del Rey thrashings into a league victory. They began well and could have beaten Sevilla last week, but looked short on confidence once pegged back level.

For Celta, this is their equal-worst start to a league campaign this century and they start this round one point above the relegation places.

There are no injury concerns or suspensions, and so Celta Vigo travel south with a full-strength squad.

New signing Denis Suárez will be available, and the ex-Barcelona winger could easily become a regular in this underperforming club. Carvalhal has taken Suarez on the trip, but the newcomer is expected to begin on the bench in a 5-3-2 formation.

 

Betting Analysis

Looking at the 1×2 market first, where the favourite for this game is the visitor Celta Vigo @ 2.15 to get a win. Elche with a new manager could see this as the perfect game to get themselves back on track. The host look a quite big price @ 3.70 to win. Splitting the points would not do either team much good but the match is expected to be close. The draw is @ 3.45.

Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. Elche +0.25 are the underdogs @ 2.09 which looks attractive given that a draw would return half of the stake as a win. Celta -0.25 have no consistency in their play as was on show last time out at home to Sevilla. Punters that predict their edge in quality being able to make the difference can back the visitor @ 1.80.

Looking at The Under/Over market last of all which punters have bet down from 2.5 to 2.25. This indicates of a game which the public expect to be low scoring and tight. Under 2.25 is @ 1.85 and the Over is @ 1.98.