Elche, ready to surprise

Elche CF hosts one of the big boys from Liga BBVA for the first time since the 1988/89 season, when the side was relegated, in the shape of Real Madrid. The last time the two sides faced each other at the Manuel Martínez Valero, the side from Alicante lost 1-3, a result they will try and better on Wednesday.

Their coach, Fran Escribá, is the first to be ambitious. "I don’t want to try and nick a draw, I want to win. The thought of beating Real Madrid is something nobody can take away from you. In the match we have options and arguments to win. Logic says that Real Madrid will win, but if we thought we couldn't win, we'd be doing another job right now". The manager from Valencia thinks that the key to harming the side from the captial is to not let them be comfortable, and to be an Elche recognisable. They'll be without both Sergio Pelegrín, and Carles Gil who has a muscle complaint.

Real Madrid will, for their part, arrive with the intention of retaining their good form from the last few games. Gareth Bale won't make the trip to the Martínez Valero, neither will Xabi Alonso who is still injured, however Iker Casillas and Raphaël Varane return to the White's squad. Ancelotti said: "We've not taken any risks with Bale, in order that he's fir for Saturday's game. Against Elche we need to take a lot of care. We saw that at Villarreal, where we had a very difficult match. I think that Wednesday's gave will be like that. For them to play against Madrid is a big motivation".

Elche sit 17th in the table with three points from five games, whilst Real Madrid are 3rd with 13 points from their five games played in Liga BBVA.