Elche Vs Las Palmas

Las Palmas is set to face Elche in a Copa del Rey third-round clash at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Sunday. This match sees the Segunda Division side travel to the top-flight outfit, with both teams in strong form heading into the encounter.

Elche, under the guidance of coach Eder Sarabia, have enjoyed a solid run of results, maintaining an unbeaten record in their last eight games across all competitions. Their performances in the Copa del Rey have been particularly impressive, as they have progressed through the first two rounds without conceding a goal. Elche started their campaign in the competition with a dominant 3-0 win over fourth-tier Coria, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory over third-tier Yeclano, where Oscar Plano's goal proved to be the difference. These victories have not only secured their spot in the third round but have also contributed to their strong league form, with the team finishing 2024 in fourth place in the Segunda Division. With 36 points from 21 matches, Elche is just two points behind the automatic promotion spots, and they will be eager to carry their positive momentum into the Copa del Rey clash against Las Palmas.

The team’s form at home has been particularly notable, with Elche winning five of their last six matches at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. Their home advantage, combined with their strong recent performances, makes them a formidable opponent for Las Palmas. However, despite their recent successes, Elche has fallen short in the Copa del Rey in the past two seasons, exiting at the third-round stage. The team will be hoping to go further this time, aiming to reach the last 16 for the first time since the 2020-2021 season, when they defeated Almería 1-0 in the third round.

On the other hand, Las Palmas has experienced a remarkable turnaround since the appointment of Diego Martínez as head coach in October 2024. The team had started the season poorly under the previous management, with only three draws and six losses in their first nine matches. However, Martínez, the former Granada manager, has rejuvenated the squad, leading them to eight wins, one draw, and just two losses in his first 11 matches in charge. Under his leadership, Las Palmas has displayed a more cohesive and confident style of play, and their Copa del Rey campaign has seen them secure wins over Ontinena and Europa in the opening rounds. Martínez’s influence has also been evident in the league, where he guided the team to a crucial 1-0 victory over his former club, Espanyol, in the final match of 2024. This result helped Las Palmas finish the year in 13th place in La Liga, with a seven-point cushion over the relegation zone.

Looking ahead to their Copa del Rey third-round match against Elche, Las Palmas will be keen to continue their strong form, particularly on the road. They have won three of their last four away games, with one draw, showing that they can perform under pressure away from home. This is a positive sign for their upcoming trip to the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, where they will face an Elche side that has proven difficult to beat, especially in front of their own fans. Las Palmas will be hoping to extend their recent successes and reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey for the first time since the 2017-2018 season, when they secured a dramatic 6-4 aggregate victory over Deportivo La Coruña at this stage of the competition.

The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams in good form and eager to make their mark in the Copa del Rey. Elche will be motivated by their strong run in the league and their solid performances in the competition so far, while Las Palmas will look to continue their resurgence under Martínez and push for a place in the next round. With both teams enjoying an impressive run of results, Sunday’s clash is set to be a highly competitive and entertaining affair, as Elche and Las Palmas battle it out for a spot in the next round of the prestigious tournament.