Elche v Espanyol – Betting Preview
Elche Summary
Bottom club Elche start the weekend 12 points from safety and 10 points off 19th placed Getafe.
Every game feels like a must win from now on if the miracle is to happen, but as its Espanyol in 17th that they face here, this truly is a game they have to get all three points.
Elche ironically won their first game of the season within days of for the first time, declaring that they were resigned to preparing themselves for life in the Segunda division.
The win against local rivals Villarreal was a massive confidence boost and much needed, but the following match they fell 4-0 to Real Madrid to bring them back down to earth.
Team news wise, Pablo Machin remains without key playmaker Pere Milla along with several fringe men. Diego Gonzalez is banned and the only new absence for the game with Espanyol.
The Milla absence is a huge miss and leaves them with even less chances of getting a positive result.
John Chetauya remains out injured along with Jony Alamo and Alex Collado.
Espanyol Summary
17th-placed Espanyol comes into this contest in some concerning form and was booed off in their most recent home game, the 2-3 loss to Real Sociedad. The result is flattering as the Basques had led 0-3 and were cruising before a couple of consolation goals made it look close.
The Catalans are winless in three La Liga 2022/23 games and lack confidence. This is a match that they will be determined to win, but one thing is for sure, it’s a must not lose.
Elche is an opponent that if they were beaten by, would ruin morale and any positive vibes in the dressing room. There is some nervousness about being dragged back into the bottom three, but it would be especially painful if it was the cut-adrift Elche that made it happen.
Team news is not helping matters at all. Boss Diego Martinez is missing key defender Cesar Montes as well as Joselu in the attack.
Centre-back Montes was assigned plenty of credit for their good form in January, but with him and Cabrera missing once more (Cabrera banned), team news is significantly negative in the backline.
Braithwaite leads the attack with Joselu out. Not a big reduction but leaves them short on offensive options.
Pacheco is another new signing hoping to get into the starting side, it is 50/50 between him and Alvaro.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first where the market is respecting the basement side Elche, with Espanyol to win @ 2.75 as the very marginal favourite. Elche is @ 2.85 and the draw is at 3.10
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. As above, so little between them that the Draw now bet (DNB) is offered as a cushion. So, a bet on either Elche -0 @ 1.990 or Espanyol -0 @ 1.87 would see the full stake returned should it end as a draw.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. I expected the line at 2 maximum given the lack of quality in attack from both clubs. That said, it could be one of those games where they have zero mutual respect and so it ends up with them trading blows. My instinct however would be its tight and the first goal wins it. Over 2.25 is @ 2.01 and Under @ 1.82.
