Real Madrid v Elche live updates - latest La Liga score

Just five minutes to go until kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium here in Madrid!

Catch up on our live transfer news updates before kick-off!

Elche have certainly had a tumultuous relationship when it comes to managers these past few years. Fran Escriba first managed the club in 2012, and stayed until the end of the 2015 season, leaving after the club’s administrative relegation.

He returned to Elche in early 2021 and, as mentioned earlier, just managed to avoid relegation last season. However, he was sacked in November.

Now, under Francisco, the team are in much better spirits. They are currently unbeaten in their last three games in La Liga. Unfortunately, Francisco will likely not be pitch side tonight after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Assistant coach, Jose Ortega, filled in for him at the pre-match press conference. He said that Real Madrid “will make about seven changes in the eleven. At home, they press higher. You have to know how to manage their waves, in which they seem to overwhelm you. If we are together and we take out the moments of difficulty, we will have our counter options.”

Real Madrid’s boss says that Elche “is a very well disciplined side,” and stresses the importance of the match.

Today the two clubs are expected to pay tribute to Francisco "Paco" Gento, a Real Madrid legend, and their honorary president, who passed away on January 18th.

Elche returned to La Liga last year after having been relegated in the 2014/15 season, and just about scraped safety, finishing in 17th, two points above relegation.

This year, they’re in a much better position, sitting currently in 15th.

They won’t be expected to win tonight, but we can expect them to give Real Madrid a tough match. They’ve scored in their last four meetings against the Spanish giants, and overall have scored in 10 of their last 11 games.

Real Madrid’s total of 49 points from 21 matches has them top of the table. They are three points clear of second-placed Sevilla, 13 clear of last year’s winners, Atletico Madrid, and 17 clear of fierce rivals Barcelona.

They also remain unbeaten at home this season with seven wins, and three draws at the Bernabeu.

REAL MADRID: Courtois, Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius Jr... Subs: Lunin, Fuidias, Nacho, Marcelo, Valverde, Ceballos, Isco, Camavinga, Jovic, Rodrygo, Bale. /// ELCHE: Badia, Palacios, Verdu, Gonzalez, Mojica, Morente, Guti, Gumbau, Milla, Boye, Perez... Subs: Casilla, Werner, Bono, Marco, Fidel, Josan, Friaza, Donald, Piatti, Bri.

Real Madrid will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins over Elche when the two sides face-off tonight for the second time this week at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.

On Thursday, Los Blancos beat Elche 2-1 in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening and will now be looking to strengthen their position at the top of La Liga when the pair meet in the league.

Thursday night saw the two sides play out a goalless 90 minutes in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey.

In extra-time, Gonzalo Verdú scored the opener for Elche, moments after Real Madrid’s Marcelo was shown a red card.

Real Madrid showed fantastic spirit, however, and the team was able to mount a comeback, with Isco equalizing and Eden Hazard scoring the winner in the 115th minute.