Prior to their winless patch, Real Madrid had won six games on the bounce to put them in a healthy position. In that streak, they pulled off some impressive results, including a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League, and a 2-1 win over Barcelona in El Clásico. Real Madrid have won 10 of their 12 league games this season, and have looked a much more well-rounded unit under Xabi Alonso. 

That streak came directly after Los Blancos were beaten 5-2 by Atletico Madrid, highlighting how Xabi Alonso’s men tend to bounce back strongly from their setbacks - they will hope to do the same on Sunday. 

Real Madrid will be confident of doing so against Elche, who have failed to win any of their last six league matches heading into this clash. That includes a 3-1 defeat against Barcelona just before the break.

Elche will take some consolation from the fact that they really did put up a fight in their game against Barcelona (losing 3-1), and were unfortunate to come away with nothing. Los Franjiverdes managed nine shots in total, but they were denied by the woodwork on two occasions. Elche did manage to find some success on the break against the title holders, and they will be confident of doing the same against Real Madrid. 

The newly-promoted side currently find themselves in a respectable 11th position, five points clear of the relegation zone. They were helped by a seven-game unbeaten run to kick off their return to the top-flight, during which they scored a total of 10 goals. 

Elche have proven they can be competitive and that they have more than enough firepower to cause problems here for the league leaders.

Rafa Mir will fancy his chances even more this weekend, considering Real Madrid will be without Eder Militao, who picked up an injury while on international duty with Brazil. With key defensive players Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal also unlikely to feature, Los Blancos are looking a bit light at the back, and Elche will hope to exploit that. 

Dean Huijsen has had his own injury problems this season, and he didn’t feature for Spain during the international break, but he expected to be available this weekend. The centre back is averaging 1.21 fouls per 90, and has landed this selection in each of his last seven matches. In fact, the centre back has been booked in three of his last four games, highlighting how he tends to be overly aggressive in his press, often finding himself caught out of position and forced into making cynical fouls.

Rafa Mir has been the primary attacking option for Elche this season, and he was incredibly active against Barcelona. The 28-year-old accounted for five of Elche’s nine attempts in total, while he also scored their only goal. It could’ve been more, too. Rafa Mir struck the woodwork twice, while he also managed three shots on target. 

It was an impressive performance from the Spanish international, but nothing out of the ordinary this season. Rafa Mir is averaging 3.68 shots per 90 in all competitions, which is the highest in the Elche squad. He has also landed this selection in all 10 of his starts in the league. 

That includes tough matchups against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletic Club - three of the strongest defensive units in the division. Real Madrid are a tough matchup on paper, but Rafa Mir has shown he can perform against the big sides.