Valencia – Elche. Prediction and Match Preview

January 10, 2026. 22:00. Valencia. Mestalla.
La Liga 2025-26. Round 19

Valencia – Elche

Where to watch: MEGOGO

Disqualified: Hugo Duro (Valencia)

Injured: Julen Aguirrezabala, Muktar Diahabi – Hector Fort, Rafa Mir

Questionable: Thierry Correia (Valencia)

Valencia

On the eve of the final round of the first half of the season, the Bats have fallen into the relegation zone. This development is unlikely to be consistent with the plans of the club's management, although the quality of their performance is a topic for a separate discussion. It is possible that this upcoming match could spell the end for Carlos Corberán as head coach. Unless, of course, Los Ches do not win. Even then, it can only postpone what is to come. The only way to calm doubts about the coach is for the points tally to rise rapidly. But is there any certainty about such an outcome? There is none.

In terms of victories, Valencia have only won once in their last seven winter games - a 2-0 away win over Sporting Gijon in the Spanish Cup. Incidentally, the Bats will play Burgos in the round of 16 next week, another team from La Liga 2. However, Corberán's team last tasted victory in the league on November 21, winning a 1-0 home derby against Levante. The next two games saw them share points with Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla. Then came a 1-2 defeat in Madrid to Atletico Madrid, and then a disappointing home draw with Mallorca to end the year. The new year began with a dreadful 1-4 defeat to Celta Vigo, which sent them into the relegation zone.

Elche

The new year also didn't start brightly for Franchiverdes. Last week they suffered their first home defeat of the season, losing 1-3 to Valencia's Villarreal. It wasn't that the hosts were completely outplayed, but Eder Sarabia's side started the season badly, trailing 0-2 after 13 minutes and almost conceding more. Midfielder Martim Neto later scored his second consecutive league goal, adding some drama to the game. To Elche's credit, they were persistent in their pursuit of opportunities at the other end of the pitch and creating chances. But they failed to score again, and a quick counterattack sealed their fate in the end.

These were defeats, to be sure. Overall, though, Franchiverdes deserve praise for their efforts in the first half of the season. As newcomers to the top division, Eder Sarabia's side looked solid, and in some matches their performance was simply impressive. Take their clash with Real Madrid, for example: Elche outplayed them, but conceded twice from set pieces and had to settle for a draw. They avoided defeat away to Atletico at the start of the season and at the end of last year they defeated Girona and Rayo Vallecano at home, winning 3-0 and 4-0 respectively, leaving no room for comebacks. Franchiverdes are ninth in the La Liga table, six points clear of their relegation rivals – and their future rivals – and just four points separate them from the European places. Sarabia's team have also reached the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, where they will soon face Betis.

Valencia v Elche: expected lineups

Both teams come into this match with a small but significant absence of players. Valencia will be without top scorer Hugo Duro through suspension, while injuries rule out starting goalkeeper Julen Aguirrezabala and center back Mouktar Diahabi. Elche's promising defender Hector Fort and forward Rafa Mir, who is well-acquainted with Bats and leads the list of Sarabia's top scorers, are injured.

Valencia vs Elche: Author's Prediction

Elche's last away win over Valencia came over 60 years ago, in December 1965 - their only one to date. By the end of the 1980s, the Franchiverdes were relegated from the Spanish top flight, and in modern times they have lost four matches in a row at the Mestalla. They somehow managed to salvage a 2-2 draw in October 2022 during a season that has been disastrous for them. It is also worth noting that Sarabia's team has yet to win away from home in this league. That streak could well continue here. However, the visitors have a good chance of avoiding defeat, given their opponents' shaky form and key absences.