Elche take on the visitors Betis in the round 1 match of Spanish LaLiga. The match will be played on Monday, August 18th at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero (Elche).
Elche return to La Liga at last. The Green-and-Whites have a history of bouncing between the Primera and Spain’s second division. After three consecutive years in the top flight, they dropped down again in 2023. Their first campaign back in the Segunda was surprisingly average, finishing only 11th, but under Sebastián Beccacece’s successor Sebastián Sarabia they made a strong push, securing 2nd place and direct promotion. Naturally, the club is looking to strengthen, though their modest finances limit what they can do. Still, they managed to bring in Víctor Chust and José Ángel Rodríguez, while cashing in on Argentinians Mercau and Castro. Stability remains a challenge, but Elche fans are excited to see their team back in La Liga.
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Betis have been under Manuel Pellegrini’s management for several years now, during which they lifted the Copa del Rey and regularly secured European qualification. There were signs of decline in recent years, making last season’s performance even more significant. Betis reached the UEFA Conference League final, though Chelsea proved far too strong with a 4-1 win. Domestically, they secured an impressive 6th place finish in La Liga. January’s loan of Antony added an extra spark, but he wasn’t retained, and Luiz Henrique Cardoso left for Atlético Madrid, with Rodrigo Riquelme coming in the opposite direction. Reinforcements this summer include high-profile South Americans Valentín Gómez and Nelson Deossa, along with experienced returnees Junior Firpo and Pau López. The squad looks well-balanced and competitive once again.
The sides last met in the 2022/23 La Liga season, with Betis winning both matches. Experience and squad depth give the visitors the clear edge, and the home advantage is unlikely to outweigh it. Expect Betis to return to Seville with all three points.
Prediction for the match: Betis to win.
