ELCHE, Spain (Interstat) — Elche hosts Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, May 9, in a La Liga matchup that carries significant implications for the mid-table standings. Both teams enter the contest on the heels of defeats last weekend.

Elche (10th, 44 points) fell 3-1 at Celta Vigo on Sunday, May 3, a result that snapped a two-match winning streak. Prior to that, the Franjiverdes posted a dramatic 3-2 home win over Atletico Madrid on April 22 and a 1-0 victory at Valencia on April 11. This season has been a rollercoaster for Elche, which has alternated strong performances with puzzling losses. The club has shown resilience at home, however, where it has secured notable results, including a draw with Espanyol (2-2) and a win over Mallorca (2-1).

Deportivo Alaves (12th, 41 points) lost 4-2 at Athletic Bilbao on May 2, extending a frustrating stretch. Los Babazorros have won just two of their last 10 league matches, a 4-3 victory at Celta Vigo on March 22 and a 2-1 win over Granada on March 9. The club has struggled with consistency, drawing five of those contests, including a 2-2 result at Osasuna and a 1-1 tie with Sevilla. The Basque side has also been prone to defensive lapses, conceding three or more goals in losses to Real Madrid (2-1) and Valencia (3-2).

The recent head-to-head history favors Alaves. The teams last met Oct. 5, 2025, when Alaves defeated Elche 3-1 at home. That result is part of a broader trend: Alaves has won three of the last five encounters, though Elche has largely been competitive at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-1 victory for the home side, a forecast that aligns with Elche’s stronger recent form and home advantage. However, Alaves will be motivated to snap its winless run, which now stands at four matches.

The schedule ahead adds urgency. Elche travels to Real Betis on Tuesday, May 12, while Alaves faces a daunting home match against Barcelona on Wednesday, May 13. Points on Saturday could prove critical for both clubs as the season enters its final stretch.

Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. local time at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero (9:15 a.m. ET).