Real Madrid Aims to Close Gap on Leaders Barcelona as They Host Elche in La Liga

T.E (Elbotola)

13 March 2026at16:00

Real Madrid will host Elche in a La Liga Matchday 28 fixture on March 14 at the Estadio Bernabéu in Madrid.

The home side enters the match in second place with 63 points, with the four-point difference separating them from league leaders Barcelona serving as a primary motivator. Elche, meanwhile, sits in 17th position with 26 points.

The Royal Club has secured three wins and suffered two defeats in their last five matches. In contrast, the visiting team has not tasted victory in the same period, recording two draws and three losses. Historically, Real Madrid holds a significant advantage with nine wins and three draws against Elche, with their last encounter ending in a 2-2 draw last November.

The hosts are expected to line up in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, led by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, with Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio, and Vinicius Jr. featuring in the starting XI. The team will be without Franco Mastantuono due to suspension, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham, who is expected to return in mid-April. Dani Ceballos is also sidelined with an injury until early April.

Elche's expected lineup features a 5-3-2 tactical setup, with Matías Ezequiel Dituro, Víctor Chust García, and André Silva anticipated to start. The team continues to be without Pedro Bigas, Héctor Fort, and John Nwankwo Donald Okoye due to injury, with no precise return date set for the trio yet.

The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports HD 2, TOD Platform, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Platform, and beIN Sports HD 3.

Q&A

What is the significance of the upcoming Real Madrid vs Elche La Liga match?

Real Madrid hosts Elche in a pivotal La Liga fixture on March 14, aiming to reduce the four-point gap separating them from league leaders Barcelona. This match at the Estadio Bernabéu is crucial for their title aspirations.

How do Real Madrid's recent form and player absences impact their chances against Elche?

Real Madrid enters the match with three wins and two defeats in their last five, but faces challenges with several key players sidelined. Absences include a suspended player and others injured until mid-April, potentially affecting their lineup.

What are the immediate implications for Real Madrid if they secure a victory against Elche?

A victory for Real Madrid would significantly boost their pursuit of the La Liga title, potentially narrowing the gap with Barcelona. It would also build momentum as they approach the return of key injured players in the coming weeks.

Real Madrid

Elche

LaLiga