Elche host Villarreal on Saturday, 3 January 2026 at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. The kick-off time is 17:30 local. The fixture is part of the La Liga schedule. Elche go into the match 16th in the table; Villarreal sit 3rd. The two squads have prepared for a tight contest.

Elche have taken 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their last 5. Recent run: 1 win. Villarreal have collected 2 wins, 0 draws and 3 losses over the same span. Recent run: 2 losses in a row.

The two clubs have met 3 times recently. Past results: 4 Feb 2023: Elche 3-1 Villarreal; 4 Sept 2022: Elche 0-4 Villarreal; 16 Jan 2022: Elche 1-0 Villarreal. The series gives both sides something to draw on before kick-off.

Villarreal beat Elche 3-1. Elche scored through Martim Neto 30'. Villarreal replied with Alberto Moleiro 7', G. Mikautadze 13', Pedraza 83'. The decisive goal arrived in minute 83 as the contest closed.

Elche held 78% of the ball against 22% for Villarreal. Shots on target finished 2-4. Expected goals read 1.31 for Elche, 1.52 for Villarreal.

Villarreal take the three points; Elche look at a thin night for the home crowd. Elche sat 16th and Villarreal 3rd before kick-off, so the table reshuffles slightly. The next round of fixtures will say more about where each side is going.