Real Madrid are bidding to keep pace with early leaders Barcelona at the top of La Liga. They travel to the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero to take on Elche on Tuesday.

Elche looking for Buonanotte to lead the way

It has been a slow start to the campaign for Elche and their new coach Martín Anselmi. Los Franjiverdes picked up only their second point away to Athletic Club at the weekend, with Facundo Buonanotte converting a penalty.

Buonanotte is one of the summer signings most capable of improving this team. He registered seven goal contributions as a teenager for Leicester in the 2024/25 Premier League, but struggled last season across loan spells at Chelsea and Leeds.

The hosts should be at full strength here, with the possible exception of Yago Santiago, who is nearing a return from a long-term injury. Anselmi opted for a more defensive 4-4-1-1 structure last time out, which should continue in such a tough fixture.

Elche predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-1-1): Dituro; Sangaré, Redondo, Chust, Revivo; Morente, Morcillo, Villar, Valera; Buonanotte; Niño.

Real Madrid to rotate at the Martínez Valero

Despite back-to-back victories over the past week, Real Madrid are still a work in progress under José Mourinho. They faced 18 shots against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, but won the game 4-1 with Kylian Mbappé striking twice.

Arda Güler came on to register his second assist in five league outings. He’s one of the players expected to rotate in, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella also pushing for recalls in the full-back positions.

Los Blancos are still missing Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo due to injuries, but Aurélien Tchouaméni returned to fitness last week. The French midfielder should at least feature off the bench.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Elche (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé.

Elche vs Real Madrid Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Kylian Mbappé to score a goal, including substitutions
  • Odds: 1.413 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Elche 1-2 Real Madrid
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 7V64S

Key stats:

  • Real Madrid are averaging 2.8 goals per 90 minutes in La Liga.
  • 43% of the away team’s strikes in the league this season have come from Mbappé.
  • Los Blancos have scored 13 times across their past four meetings with Elche.

Mbappé’s weekend brace took his season tally to six goals in just five appearances in La Liga. He’s averaging 7.2 shots per game, which is the highest tally in the Spanish top flight. The Frenchman is already the clear favourite to win the Pichichi Trophy for the third year in a row.

Backing the striker to score a goal, including substitutions, is a safe pick. With the Madrid derby ahead this weekend, he could be replaced by back-up striker Carlos Espí in the second half. The 21-year-old has already come off the bench to net in one of his three appearances in La Liga.

Elche vs Real Madrid Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Real Madrid to win & Both teams to score
  • Odds: 2.3 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 1HV4S

Real Madrid have kept just one clean sheet in six competitive outings. They still won four of the five matches when their defence was breached.

Backing the visitors to triumph and both teams to score offers value at odds of 2.3. There have been goals at each end in four of Elche’s five outings so far.

Verdict: Kylian Mbappé to score a goal, including substitutions (1.413) — Elche 1-2 Real Madrid