Villarreal vs Elche CF 17 October 2026 Prediction

Villarreal must balance their push to improve their La Liga position with keeping key players fresh for a Champions League trip to Liverpool. Elche could benefit from that schedule. After a poor start to the season, they have taken points in two straight league games.

Villarreal Are Converting More Chances

Villarreal rank third in La Liga in chances created, but finishing was a problem early in the season. That has begun to change. Iñigo Pérez’s team beat Málaga and Levante 3-1, then created chances to take a point in a 1-0 loss at Real Madrid. Villarreal followed that with a 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli. Their recent results have improved despite their position in the league table.

The schedule is another concern. Villarreal hosted Napoli on Tuesday and will play Liverpool at Anfield three days after facing Elche. Pérez may need to manage his players’ minutes. Nicolas Pépé is recovering from eye surgery, while Tajon Buchanan is out with a hamstring injury. Alberto Moleiro, Ayoze Pérez, Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze give the manager options in attack, but he must decide how much to rotate.

Elche’s Recent Results Have Improved

Elche have recovered somewhat from their poor start. Martín Anselmi’s team have lost just once in their last four league games, conceding the deciding goal late in a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid. Aside from a 5-0 loss to Barcelona, all of Elche’s defeats have ended 3-2. Real Sociedad and Real Madrid both scored winners after the 90th minute. Elche have competed in those losses and have started to collect points more consistently.

Defense remains Elche’s main problem: they have conceded 17 goals in eight league games, one of the highest totals in La Liga. They did, however, keep their first clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw with Celta last time out. The squad is also getting healthier. Buba Sangaré has returned to training after a muscle injury, and Yago Santiago has resumed training with the group following knee surgery. Federico Redondo has served his suspension and should return to the starting lineup. Anselmi therefore has nearly his full squad available.

Villarreal vs Elche Predicted Lineup

Villarreal (4-4-2): Gulácsi; Freeman, Foyth, Veiga, Cardona; Akhomach, Gueye, Saliba, Moleiro; A. Pérez, Oluwaseyi

Out: Pépé, Buchanan (injuries)

Manager: Iñigo Pérez

Elche (4-2-3-1): Dituro; Sangaré, Redondo, Chust, Revivo; Villar, Morcillo; Cepeda, Lemar, Valera; Niño

Questionable: Santiago

Manager: Martín Anselmi

Villarreal vs Elche Prediction: Villarreal Handicap -1.5

Main pick: Villarreal have won three of their last four games in all competitions, each by a 3-1 score. Elche have faced few strong opponents away from home. They drew 1-1 at Athletic Club, but Athletic missed several chances, while Elche scored from a penalty and managed just one shot on target. Villarreal have also won the last three meetings, twice by at least two goals. Given the hosts’ recent finishing and Elche’s defensive record, the pick is Villarreal -1.5 at 2.14.

Goals pick: At least four goals have been scored in three of Villarreal’s four home games this season. Elche have both scored and conceded in every league away game, and three of the last four meetings between these teams produced at least four goals. The additional pick is over 3.5 goals at 2.17.