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. They have attracted genuine talent: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the attack, Angeliño brings Premier League-calibre quality at left-back, and Charlie Patiño: the former Arsenal midfielder: provides technical quality in midfield. 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.