Elche vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-05-13 14:15.
Elche’s 2-1 loss to Almeria last time out confirmed what has been inevitable for a long time, that their three-season stint in La Liga (LL) has finally run its course. The Spanish top-flight proved far too overwhelming for the Franjiverde, whose combination of owning the leakiest defence (GA: 64) and most toothless attack (G: 25) shows they very much went down without a fight.
Perhaps it’s best that their meeting with AtlĂ©tico Madrid is trivial given their recent history, as losing the last 11 top-flight H2Hs – including the last five at home – both serve as their worst such runs against any opposition. In fact, April 1985 was the last time Elche bested AtlĂ©tico in LL combat, which is so long ago that none of the current Elche side were even born.
You’d fear for the home faithful as Atlético have been on a rampage recently, failing to win only once in their last ten outings (L1). They’ve especially peaked in their last two matches where they’ve scored five goals in each, and there’s hardly any team they’d rather take on than Elche right now as they gun for three 5+ goal wins in a row for the first time in their LL history.
They’ve sneaked into second place prior to this weekend, displacing city rivals Real Madrid. But despite their fruitful form, manager Diego Simeone will be quick to remind his troops of their close battles on the road this season, with only three of their 16 LL away matches being decided by a 2+ goal margin.
Players to watch: Tete Morente might be a candidate to get Elche off to a good start, with each of his last five LL goals serving as his side’s opener. Meanwhile, Atlético’s Antoine Griezmann has registered seven goal contributions in as many LL meetings with Elche (G4, A3), while ending up on the winning side without conceding each time.
Hot stat: No LL team has scored more goals (13) than Atlético between minutes 46 and 60 this league season.