Two of Spain's returning clubs meet at the atmospheric Riazor stadium in La Coruña on Monday 17 August, kick-off 21:00 CEST. Deportivo de La Coruña — former Champions League semi-finalists — and Elche — twice relegated and now back — both represent the romantic story of historic clubs fighting their way back to the top flight. This fixture has all the energy of two clubs with something to prove.
Deportivo: Riazor roars again
Deportivo's return to La Liga is a historic moment. The club that once beat AC Milan at the Riazor is back in the top flight after years in lower divisions. Their squad is built around Galician passion and physicality, with an emphasis on set-piece danger and organisation. The Riazor crowd will be deafening — one of the great atmospheres La Liga can produce.
Elche: Costa Blanca resilience
Elche, from Alicante's palm-tree-lined streets, have had an eventful recent history — Premier League standard players, relegation fights, and now another chance in La Liga. They arrive with a direct style, pacy wide forwards and a compact defensive structure. Away from home they are capable of frustrating and snatching on the break.
Deportivo Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-4-2
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Key battle
Deportivo's Riazor advantage is significant — their record at home since returning to professional football's upper levels has been strong. Elche will look to weather an intense first-half storm and strike on the counter. If the game is level at half-time, Elche fancy their chances of nicking something.
Prediction & picks
- Deportivo to win or draw (home side advantage, 68%).
- Under 2.5 goals (58%) — two defensively minded promoted sides.
- Prediction: Deportivo 1–0 Elche. Riazor makes the difference.