Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche is the stage for a compelling La Liga encounter as newly-promoted Elche host the resurgent Real Sociedad. This Matchday 12 fixture pits two sides separated by just two points in the mid-table, with Elche aiming to consolidate their impressive start and Real Sociedad targeting a continuation of their vital winning streak to climb toward the European places. Elche has been particularly strong at home, remaining unbeaten on their own turf, but they face a significant historical hurdle: a long winless run against the Basque visitors. This is a crucial match that will test Elche’s resilience against Real Sociedad’s rediscovered momentum and historical dominance.
Match Details
This weekend La Liga match is key for positioning in the closely contested middle third of the table.
DetailInformationCompetitionLa Liga – Matchday 12DateSaturday, November 8, 2025Kick-off12:30 AM GMT (1:30 AM CET)VenueEstadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche, Spain
Team Form and Analysis for Elche
Domestic Form and Season Performance
Elche, returning to La Liga this season, have enjoyed a solid start that sees them comfortably sitting in the top half of the table after 11 matches, a commendable achievement for a promoted side. Their 14-point haul is one of their best starts to a top-flight campaign this century.
However, the team’s form has hit a recent snag, entering this match winless in their last four La Liga outings, with three defeats and one draw. Despite this downturn, their home form is a major asset; Elche remains unbeaten at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in the league this season (W3, D2). Manager Eder Sarabia will rely on this home fortress mentality and the team’s ability to create chances through individual skill to overcome their highly-ranked opponents. Defensively, they have shown discipline at home, having not conceded more than once in their last nine La Liga home games.
Key Player: Rafa Mir
Striker Rafa Mir is the focal point of the Elche attack and the team’s joint-leading goalscorer this season. His recent consolation goal against Barcelona ended a difficult run and showcased his continued threat. Mir’s aerial ability, willingness to shoot, and goal-poaching instincts will be essential for Elche to pierce a Real Sociedad defence that is prone to individual errors. Four of his goals this season have arrived in the second half, highlighting his late-game impact.
Team Form and Analysis for Real Sociedad
Domestic Form and Season Performance
Real Sociedad endured a very difficult start to the season but appear to have finally found their rhythm under manager Sergio Francisco. The Basque club currently sits in the mid-table with 12 points, but they arrive in Elche with significant momentum, having secured three consecutive victories across all competitions, including crucial league wins over Sevilla and a dramatic 3-2 derby win against Athletic Club.
Despite this winning streak, their overall league position remains disappointing, and their away form is a concern. Real Sociedad has struggled for away victories this season, and only one of their last nine league wins has come on the road. The Txuri-Urdin have committed a league-high 179 fouls this season, indicating an aggressive style of play that sometimes results in conceding dangerous set-piece opportunities. They will look to their experienced European players to manage the pressure of a difficult away fixture.
Key Player: Mikel Oyarzabal
Captain Mikel Oyarzabal remains the most influential player in the Real Sociedad squad and is the team’s top goalscorer in La Liga with four goals. All four of his league goals have arrived before the hour mark, pointing to his ability to start quickly and set the tone for the team. Oyarzabal’s leadership, penalty-taking ability, and high expected goals (xG) output make him the most likely player to break Elche’s solid home defensive record.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
The head-to-head history overwhelmingly favours the visiting side, a trend Elche must break to secure a positive result.
MetricElche WinsDrawsReal Sociedad WinsTotal Competitive Meetings (Last 6)006Current La Liga H2H StreakL6W6Most Recent Result (Mar 2023)Real Sociedad 2-0 Elche (H)
Real Sociedad have been completely dominant in recent meetings, having won all of the last six La Liga encounters against Elche, dating back to 2015. Crucially, in five of those six matches, Real Sociedad kept a clean sheet and only conceded a single goal in the entire sequence. This historical pattern is a major psychological barrier for the home team to overcome.
Players to Watch
Elche
André Silva (Forward): The forward has been a good partner for Rafa Mir and is also the team’s joint-leading scorer. His work rate and ability to contribute goals outside of Mir are essential for a multi-faceted attack.
Aleix Febas (Midfielder): The central midfielder provides technical quality and experience in the middle of the pitch. He will be tasked with controlling the tempo and supplying the forwards against a strong Real Sociedad midfield.
Real Sociedad
Brais Méndez (Midfielder): The attacking midfielder is a creative force and has contributed two goals and two assists this season. His set-piece delivery and vision are a major threat, particularly in a match that is expected to be closely fought.
Igor Zubeldia (Defender): The reliable centre-back is the anchor of the defence. His performance will be critical in managing the threat of Rafa Mir and ensuring Real Sociedad maintains its defensive solidity against the home side.
Prediction
This fixture presents a classic clash of Elche’s impenetrable home form against Real Sociedad’s dominant head-to-head record and recent winning momentum. The historical advantage for the visitors is significant, but Elche’s undefeated run at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero this season cannot be ignored. Real Sociedad’s away struggles and defensive vulnerabilities (conceding first in seven of 11 games) offer Elche a real opportunity. However, the Basque side’s quality, particularly the finishing ability of Oyarzabal and their need to climb the table, should see them edge a tight contest, breaking the home side’s unbeaten run but possibly conceding for the first time in an away fixture against Elche in a long while.
Score Prediction: Elche 1-2 Real Sociedad
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
This La Liga fixture is scheduled for broadcast across various platforms.
In the United States (US), the match is available to stream on ESPN+ and will be broadcast on ESPN Deportes.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the match will be available on LaLigaTV.
Check local TV and streaming listings in other regions for the most accurate broadcast information.
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