La Liga 2025-2026: Elche Real Sociedad, the probable formations

At the Martínez Valero Stadium, Elche hosts Real Sociedad in a challenge that promises balance and intensity. The two teams are separated by only two points in the standings, but arrive at this fixture in opposite states of form.

Elche, the authentic revelation of this start of the season, has collected 14 points in 12 days and continues to impress. Éder Sarabia’s team, which started with the goal of salvation, is showing solid, purposeful soccer. With André Silva in great form, the green-and-whites are dreaming big: Europe is just four points away, and enthusiasm in the city is growing by the week.

A quite different situation for Real Sociedad, which is now used to navigating steadily in the upper echelons of the standings. The Basques, however, are going through a more complicated start to the season than expected: 12 points in 11 games are not enough to aspire to a place in the European cups, and the fans are beginning to show signs of impatience.
In the last few rounds, however, the team coached by Sergio Francisco has shown signs of awakening, winning two prestigious victories: first against Sevilla, then in the heartfelt Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao, won 3-2 thanks to a decisive goal in the final minutes.

Probable lineups

Elche (4-2-3-1): Iñaki Peña; Fort, Affengruber, Núñez, Pedrosa; Aguado, Febas; Valera, Neto, Rafa Mir; André Silva.
Coach: Éder Sarabia.

Real Sociedad (4-4-2): Remiro; Aramburu, Martín, Zubeldia, Sergio Gómez; Kubo, Gorrotxategi, Carlos Soler, Guedes; Brais Méndez, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Coach: Sergio Francisco.