Elche and Sevilla Clash in LaLiga Matchday 20

Elche and Sevilla will conclude Matchday 20 of LaLiga EA Sports this Monday at 21:00 hours at the Martínez Valero Stadium. Both teams are grappling with a blow to their pride. Under the leadership of Eder Sarabia, Elche aims to channel their “frustration and anger” following their controversial cup elimination against Betis. Meanwhile, Sevilla finds themselves in a precarious situation, having suffered three consecutive league defeats and a cup exit at the hands of Alavés. The first encounter between these two sides ended in a 2-2 draw at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Elche has been struggling to secure a victory since 2026, recently enduring two winless league matches. They come off a 1-1 draw at Mestalla and a 1-3 defeat at home against Villarreal, marking their first loss on home turf. A win against Sevilla would significantly bolster their chances of avoiding relegation, potentially lifting them to eighth place, close to European qualification. However, Coach Eder Sarabia faces significant challenges with a high number of injuries—up to five players unavailable. This situation is further complicated following a midweek commitment. Notably absent from the previous match are the indispensable Álvaro Núñez and captain Bigas, while André Silva remains a doubt for selection. Álvaro Rodríguez, the only fully fit striker, is expected to lead the offensive line.

Sevilla will look to kick off the second half of the season on a positive note, aiming to end their three-match losing streak in LaLiga, during which they have failed to score a single goal. They are also reeling from their cup elimination. Fortunately for Coach Matías Almeyda, Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke have just returned to Sevilla after winning a bronze medal with Nigeria at the Africa Cup, providing a timely boost to the squad amid injury concerns affecting Rubén Vargas, Januzaj, and Alexis Sánchez. The threat of relegation looms large, as they sit just one point above the drop zone.

A key matchup to watch is between Neto and Agoumé. The Portuguese midfielder is gaining maturity, showcasing creativity, verticality, and an array of skills that make him the driving force for Elche. In contrast, Agoumé stands out as one of the few players of notable caliber for Sevilla.