Real Madrid-Elche: league leaders back in action at the Bernabéu | OneFootball

Real Madrid return to LaLiga action after a 15-day absence. Having clinched the Spanish Super Cup and booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, the Whites host Elche this evening at the Santiago Bernabéu, which will pay tribute to the late Francisco Gento before the game. This will be the second time the two teams go head to head this week, after Thursday’s win at the Martínez Valero.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men top the league table and remain unbeaten on home soil this season with a record of seven wins and three draws. Against Elche, the madridistas will go in search of their sixth straight victory in all competitions. This evening’s clash will bring a demanding first month of the year to an end, as the international break begins next week. “There are three very important points to play for against Elche”, said Ancelotti at the press conference ahead of the clash. Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militão and Karim Benzema are the new inclusions to the Italian’s squad in relation to Thursday’s Copa del Rey tie. The hosts will certainly be glad to see the return of the LaLiga top goal-scorer, who has found the net in three successive games, with a brace against Valencia and his strikes in Saudi Arabia against Barcelona and Athletic Club.

The opposition Elche currently sit in 15th position and go into the clash on the back of a home win against Villarreal (1-0) last time out in LaLiga. They also head to the Santiago Bernabéu on a three-game unbeaten run in the competition, having prevailed against Espanyol (1-2) and holding Granada to a goalless draw. Lucas Boyé, with six goals, is the team’s top goal-scorer.