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An interesting fixture is on the cards as Racing Santander and Elche battle for three valuable points in the third round of La Liga at El Sardinero on Friday.
The hosts are still in the hunt for their first win in the Spanish top flight since January 2012.
Elche, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from last weekend's humiliating defeat.
Read our Racing Santander vs Elche prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Racing Santander vs Elche key stats
- At least three goals were scored in four of Elche's last five matches.
- Three of Racing Santander's last four games produced goals at both ends.
- Both teams are without a win in La Liga this season.
Racing Santander vs Elche preview: Elche's travel woes to continue?
Racing Santander vs Elche — Tale of the Tape
| Racing Santander | vs | Elche |
|---|---|---|
| 14th | Position | 18th |
| 1 | Points | 1 |
| 2 | Goals For | 1 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 6 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 6th | Home / Away Rank | 6th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Racing Santander followed their impressive 2-2 opening draw against Villarreal with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at Getafe last weekend.
The Cantabrian side conceded a late winner just four minutes after missing a penalty that could've given them the lead.
With that in mind, Jose Alberto Lopez's troops are now without a win in their last 22 top-flight fixtures, stretching back to January 2012, their previous season in La Liga.
Defender Pedro Felipe has a micro-tear in the hamstring fibers of his right thigh and will be out of this clash, alongside forward Giorgi Guliashvili, who missed the entire pre-season and the opening weeks of the league campaign due to a leg problem.
Summer recruit Julen Agirrezabala is expected to start in goal, with fellow new signing Asier Villalibre projected to keep his place up front despite drawing blanks in the hosts' first two league games.
On the other hand, Elche are coming off a humiliating 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Barcelona.
The visitors were the league's worst travellers last season. Including their previous campaign, the Valencia-based outfit have won only one of their last 20 away league games.
Head coach Martin Anselmi will be without Grady Diangana and Yago Santiago, with both players still sidelined with knee injuries. Adam Boayar is dealing with muscular issues in his quadriceps and will sit this one out as well.
This will be the first meeting between these teams since March 2025, and their first top-flight clash since February 1985.
Although both teams have two wins apiece with a draw between them in the last five H2Hs, it is worth mentioning that Racing Santander won seven of their last nine home encounters with Elche, stretching back to 1974.
Racing Santander vs Elche form guide & betting tips
| Racing Santander | vs | Elche |
|---|---|---|
D
L
|
La Liga Form |
D
L
|
| 1 | Points | 1 |
| 14th | Form Table | 18th |
| 2 | Goals For | 1 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 6 |
L
W
L
D
L
|
Form (All Comps) |
D
D
W
D
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Racing Santander 2-1 Elche
At 6/5 (2.20), Racing Santander are considered favourites by the bookmakers ahead of this clash.
Despite not winning either of their first two games, the Cantabrian side have looked really solid this season, and with Elche having lost nine of their last 12 away matches in all competitions, we are leaning toward the hosts for the win.
Four of Elche's last five fixtures went above the 2.5-goal mark, and this can be backed at 5/6 (1.83).
We also fancy Racing Santander & BTTS – Yes at 3/1 (4.00). This combination landed in five of the hosts' last six competitive home games.
> Over 2.5 total goals at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Racing Santander at 6/5 (2.20) | Likelihood: Probable
> Racing Santander & BTTS – Yes at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 2-1 at 8/1 (9.00) | Likelihood: Outsider