Estadio Martinez Valero will host a derby between two Valencia-based sides in the 18th round of La Liga on Saturday, 3 January 2026.
View our free Elche vs Villarreal predictions below.
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Elche vs Villarreal predictions: Hosts to claim all the spoils
Key stats
- Villarreal have lost three matches in a row.
- Elche have not lost a home game this season.
- Villarreal lost their last two trips to this stadium.
Correct score prediction: Elche 2-1 Villarreal
While Elche are still hunting for their first away win in La Liga this season, they have been one of three undefeated home teams in the Spanish top flight, holding their own against teams like Real Madrid and Real Betis.
On the other hand, Villarreal are currently going through a rough patch, as they have lost three consecutive matches, conceding multiple goals in each defeat.
Bearing in mind that Elche were victorious the last two times Villarreal visited this stadium, we believe the hosts will keep their unbeaten home run intact with a victory.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies favour Villarreal
- HOME: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 23/20 (2.15) – 46.5%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Villarreal's struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Barcelona last time out, which was their third consecutive loss across three different competitions.
Elche, meanwhile, earned their fourth win in five games by cruising to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano before the Christmas break. Eder Armesto’s troops are brimming with confidence ahead of this clash as they aim to maintain their unbeaten home run in La Liga this season.
As things stand, Villarreal and Elche are fourth and ninth in the Spanish top flight, respectively.
On that note, Villarreal are the expected winners at 23/20 (2.15). Teams with these odds generally have a 46.5% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Elche vs Villarreal predictions.
It is also worth mentioning that four of the last five clashes between these teams went above the 3.5-goal threshold. For this reason, over 2.5 total goals has an appealing look at 4/5 (1.80). That one has a 55.6% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Evenly contested affair
In the last six skirmishes between these Valencia-based outfits, both sides have two wins apiece, with two draws between them.
Moreover, Villarreal lost their last two trips to this stadium and are without a win in their last five visits.
Spain La Liga 04/02/23
Elche
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 04/09/22
Villarreal
Elche
Spain La Liga 16/01/22
Elche
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 22/09/21
Villarreal
Elche
Spain La Liga 06/02/21
Elche
Villarreal
Elche preview: No Silva, no problem?
Andre Silva (muscle), Grady Diangana (hamstring), and John Nwankwo (muscle) are all ruled out of this clash for Elche. However, coach Armesto has enough at his disposal to try and fashion a way to maintain the team's impressive unbeaten run at Estadio Martinez Valero.
Federico Redondo’s sending off last time out against Rayo means the Argentine will be unavailable for this game.
Predicted lineup: Pena (GK), Nunez, Affengruber, Chust, Bigas, Aguado, Valera, Neto, Febas, Santiago & Mir.
Last five matches
- Elche 4-0 Rayo
- Eibar 0-1 Elche
- Mallorca 3-1 Elche
- Elche 3-0 Girona
- Quintanar 1-2 Elche
Villarreal preview: Fair few absences
As for Villarreal, a few players are set to miss out this weekend, including Pape Gueye (AFCON), Ilias Akhomach (AFCON), Thomas Partey (muscle), Logan Costa (knee), and Pau Cabanes (knee).
In addition to the above, Renato Veiga (red card) and Tajon Buchanan (accumulated yellow cards) are both suspended for this trip, while Santiago Mourino, Alfonso Pedraza, and Juan Foyth remain touch and go in their availability.
Predicted lineup: Junior (GK), Navarro, Foyth, Marin, Cardona, Parejo, Comesana, Moleiro, Pepe, Perez & Mikautadze.
Last five matches
- Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona
- Racing Santander 2-1 Villarreal
- Villarreal 2-3 Copenhagen
- Villarreal 2-0 Getafe
- Antoniano 1-1 (3) AP (5) Villarreal
Player to watch: Alvaro Rodriguez
Alvaro Rodriguez is coming off one of the best performances of his career, as he scored once and provided two assists in Elche's 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano. The Uruguayan forward will be called upon to provide goals this weekend.