Elche faces early pressure against Real Sociedad, still without an away point

Elche enters its home match against Real Sociedad needing its first win of the season, while the visitors are still looking for their first away points after two defeats on the road. Elche has taken only one point from nine and is beginning to feel pressure in the standings, although the tension has not yet reached the dressing room.

With the transfer window closed, Elche is turning its attention to a difficult September schedule and hopes to make the Martínez Valero a foundation for its survival push. The club has lost only three matches at the stadium in 2026.

Coach Martín Anselmi must rebuild his defense after Austrian center-back David Affengruber left for the English league on the final day of the transfer window. Argentine Kevin Lomónaco arrived as the natural replacement, but he has trained with the group only twice and is unlikely to debut. Veteran Pedro Bigas is therefore expected to start.

Thomas Lemar, Roy Revivo and Rubén Sánchez, the other late Elche signings, are available and could feature. The club's only confirmed injury absence is winger Yago de Santiago, who continues to recover from knee surgery.

Real Sociedad comes to Elche after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Celta on Thursday. The team dominated the first half but faded after the break. It began the fourth round in 11th place with four points, although it had played one more match than most rivals. Pablo Marín has returned to full training and could travel, while Álvaro Odriozola remains out with a cruciate-ligament injury. Héctor Fort will return to his former club after spending last season on loan at Elche from Barcelona.