Elche eye response against Sociedad after poor start.

Elche CF vs Real Sociedad kicks off at 20:30 [GMT+1] on Monday, September 7, at Manuel Martínez Valero. Elche will hope their revamped defence can help arrest a difficult start to the La Liga campaign when they welcome Real Sociedad this game week. Los Franjiverdes have collected just one point from their opening three matches and possess the division’s worst defensive record, having conceded nine goals. There were signs of improvement in their latest outing against Racing Santander, although they ultimately suffered a 3-2 defeat after falling 3-0 behind at half-time. “We reacted, competed, and got closer to what we aspire to be, but it was too late,” head coach Martín Anselmi lamented the insufficient recovery after a poor start. Subsequently, he moved to strengthen his defence before the transfer window closed, bringing in three defenders while also adding Thomas Lemar on loan. His immediate challenge is integrating those arrivals quickly as Los Franjiverdes attempt to rediscover the home form that saw them go seven league matches unbeaten before Barcelona inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on matchday two. History offers little encouragement, however, with Sociedad winning seven of the last eight meetings between the sides and drawing the other [7W, 1D, 0L]. La Real have also triumphed on three of their last four visits to Elche [3W, 1D, 0L]. Fer Niño picked up an injury during the week and will be monitored, while Adam Boayar and Yago Santiago are also in doubt. Ezequiel Ponce is expected to start upfront in a 5—4—1 pattern against the visitors.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, enter the contest after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Celta Vigo on Thursday. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side created several opportunities but failed to find the breakthrough, leaving them with four points from their first four matches. There was nevertheless an important positive as La Real recorded their first clean sheet in 12 league outings. Matarazzo believes his team are beginning to find greater balance, but the finishing remains a concern, particularly with Sociedad still searching for a way to end an eight-match winless run away from home in the league [0W, 3D, 5L]. Improving their efficiency in the final third will therefore be crucial if they are to make their superiority count. They will be hopeful that Elche’s defensive uncertainty can provide the perfect opportunity to do so. Pablo Marín and Jon Pacheco have yet to feature this season and remain unavailable for the visitors. A 4—4—2 pattern with Orri Óskarsson and Mikel Oyarzabal on the frontline is expected against Elche.