Eder Sarabia leads his "Elche" squad into a season-defining match this Sunday, with direct promotion to La Liga hanging in the balance. The manager's "white-greens" face "Deportivo" in the final round of Spain's Segunda Division on June 1, needing nothing less than victory to secure automatic elevation.
"Every minute of preparation counts now. We control our destiny, but only a win guarantees our passage," Sarabia reportedly told his players during their final training session.
The stakes couldn't be higher for "Elche" as they enter this decisive fixture holding second place, just two points ahead of both "Real Oviedo" and "Mirandes." A draw simply won't cut it for Sarabia's men, especially considering the head-to-head tiebreaker situation – while "Elche" holds the advantage over "Real Oviedo," they'd lose out to "Mirandes" should they finish level on points.
Interestingly, both teams share identical records in their respective home and away fixtures this season. "Deportivo" has managed 6 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses at their home ground – mirroring exactly "Elche's" performance on the road (6-8-6).
Despite having nothing substantial to play for, "Deportivo" shouldn't be underestimated. The former Champions League participants have already achieved their primary objective by securing their Segunda Division status for next season, sitting comfortably in 15th place. This marks their first campaign back in Spain's second tier after spending four years in the third division.
According to Statbet analytics, "Elche's" inconsistent away form suggests a challenging battle, with under 2.5 goals appearing likely for the visitors despite their urgent need for victory.
The last meeting between these sides earlier this season ended in a goalless draw during matchday nine, and they hadn't faced each other since 2020 before that encounter.
Will Sarabia's motivational tactics be enough to push "Elche" over the line? Or will we see a promotion race extend into the playoffs? Sunday's clash promises tension rather than spectacle, with everything on the line for the visitors.
