Sports
Lineups, confirmed La Liga team news
Real Madrid can move three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga when Xabi Alonso’s side visit Elche on Sunday.
Los Blancos are seeking a first goal in three matches in all competitions, having followed up a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool in the Champions League with a 0-0 draw away to Rayo Vallecano on November 9.
No side has a better defensive home record in the 2025/26 top flight than Elche, who are unbeaten at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, where they have conceded a total of three goals.
You can follow 101GreatGoals.com’s live text updates from Elche vs Real Madrid here, and read on for the full teams from La Liga.
💚 𝟐𝟒 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐎 💚#ElcheRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/pVKyKgN33E
— Elche Club de Fútbol (@elchecf) November 22, 2025
Elche starting lineup vs Real Madrid
Veteran right-winger Josan is out for Elche with muscle discomfort, but defender or midfielder Pedro Bigas and defensive midfielder John are available, having been injury doubts.
Former Real Madrid centre-back Victor Chust expects Madrid to be “motivated”. “I know the pressure there, especially after two setbacks,” said the Cadiz loanee.
“They’ll come here to win and we’ll focus on our own game. Let’s see if we can get the three points.
“Thanks to Real Madrid I am the player I am, but I owe my allegiance to Elche and I’m going all out for this.
“We’ve already shown that we can play well with a back three, four, or five, without losing our identity.”
Elche starting XI: Pena, Port, Affengruber, Chust, Nunez, Aguado, German, Febas, Diang, Rafa Mir, Da Silva
Elche substitutes: To follow
Real Madrid starting lineup vs Elche
Madrid are without defenders Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal, but Dean Huijsen is fit to partner Raul Asencio at the heart of the back four.
Alonso said Rudiger could return for the trip to Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“His excellent performances, personality and high competitive level make him an important player,” said Alonso.
“Militao’s injury isn’t serious, but we’ll miss him and having Antonio back soon is very good news.”
Midfielders Franco Mastantuono and Aurelien Tchouameni could return on the bench, while Madrid used the international break to work on right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s full return to fitness following injuries.
“[Federico] Valverde can still play there,” Alonso said of Alexander-Arnold’s position. “But having Trent in better shape gives us more options [there].
“It’s not just him; there are other options such as Militao, who played there the other day with [Brazil], or Asencio.”
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Asencio, Carreras, Guler, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe
Real Madrid substitutes: To follow
How to watch Elche v Real Madrid: TV, online live streams
Kick-off on Sunday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming available on a vast range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 a year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ cancellation notice required.
La Liga fixtures, results this weekend
Barcelona thrashed Athletic Club to move top on goal difference, having played a game more than Madrid.
In other notable results on Saturday, Villarreal beat Mallorca to move four points clear in third place, although fourth-placed Atleti play their game in hand on Sunday.
Friday, November 21
Valencia 1-0 Levante
Saturday, November 22
Alaves 0-1 Celta Vigo
Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club
Osasuna 1-3 Real Sociedad
Villarreal 2-1 Mallorca
Sunday, November 23
Real Oviedo xx-xx Rayo Vallecano
Real Betis xx-xx Girona
Getafe vs Atletico Madrid (17:30)
Elche vs Real Madrid (20:00)
Monday, November 24
Espanyol vs Sevilla (20:00)
