Previews
FRI 19.09.2014
Elche CF and SD Eibar, the last two champions of the Liga Adelante, will once again go up against each other, though this time it will be a different stage: the Liga BBVA. The two teams, both fighting for survival, will open matchday 4 of the top flight of Spanish football at the Martínez Valero Stadium at 9 pm.
The home side go into the game with confidence after winning at the Vallecas (2-3) last Sunday, while the Armeros, who have added no points since matchday 1, will look to rediscover some form against an opposition that have claimed 4 points from their last two encounters.
Team news
Visiting manager Gaizka Garitano will be without the injured Dídac Vilà. Jon Irazusta, Txema Añibarro, Dejan Lekić and Manu del Moral will not travel to Elche having been left out of the matchday squad. Fran Escribá, meanwhile, has his entire squad available to face the Basque side.
What the managers have to say
In the lead-up to the game, the home side's manager praised his opponents this Friday: "Eibar play a great brand of football. It's a well coached side that has kept the core team that took it to the Liga BBVA". Garitano also sees Elche as a template for his own team. "It's a side like ours and a mirror we can look at ourselves in because of their record since promotion to the division".
© LALIGA - 2014