draw between Villarreal and Elche looks tighter on the table than it does on recent form. Villarreal are 11th on eight points after eight La Liga matches, Elche are 18th on six, and the home side have won each of their last three games in all competitions.
Villarreal's recent run
Villarreal's momentum is the main reason this feels like a difficult afternoon for Elche. Sports Mole say the Yellow Submarine go into the game off the back of a 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli, and that they have won their last three matches in all competitions.
The broader results line is a little less tidy, though still encouraging. Their last five listed results are WDLWW, which still leaves them with three wins from five and enough scoring rhythm to make this a live home favouritism case.
Elche's defensive problem
Elche's league numbers are the bigger concern. They have conceded 17 times in eight matches, a heavy return for a side already in 18th, and it makes this trip look awkward even before the head-to-head record comes into play.
Villarreal lead that overall meeting 9 wins to seven, with seven draws, and they won the corresponding match in March 2-1. Sports Mole expect this one to be close in scoreline, but still back Villarreal to take all three points.
The home side should still need to work for it. Villarreal do not look like a team running away with anything yet, but against Elche they have the form, the cleaner attacking run and the historical edge to justify the favourite's tag.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
