Real Madrid’s Champions League action does not happen until next week and, having triumphed at the Club World Cup during the weekend, Los Blancos play their La Liga game on Wednesday. In the last match of the 21st round of Primera, last-placed Elche await them. Elche arrive at the Bernabéu after a great victory over Villarreal in the previous round, and last season Los Franjiverdes left Madrid with a smile.The Blancos added another trophy to their already rich collection as they triumphed at the Club World Cup. In the final, the Madrid giant defeated Al Hilal 5-3 and confirmed an extremely successful year. But there is not much space or time to celebrate, as Primera Division is underway and Real have an important clash with Elche to stay in the championship race.Three points are essential for the defending champions, as the gap to leaders Barcelona has already grown to a whopping 11 points. The deficit is uncomfortably large.Real Madrid will debut the CWC badge tonight vs. Elche. ✨ pic.twitter.com/zTFgqc1CLF— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) February 15, 2023 The Blancos recently drew with Sociedad 0-0, and were particularly disappointing in their 0-1 defeat at Mallorca. However, the trophy-winning Carlo Ancelotti is not talking about the result crisis.”The fans know what the team will do, that is to fight in all matches and competitions. The players are professionals, they take everything very seriously. I don’t think they think we are in a crisis”.However, Elche are last in the table and everyone expects three points for Real. However, Los Franjiverdes should not be underestimated. Last week, the outsider “surprised Villarreal and won 3-1. It was the first time that Elche were victorious in the current campaign. Unfortunately, their situation is still critical as they are 12 points behind in places above the ‘survival’ line.Barca show title-winning tools at El Madrigal: Attacking edge, steel at the back and plenty of gritMadrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who missed the Club World Cup, will soon be available again, but his replacement Andriy Lunin will play tonight. Vinicius Junior collected five yellow cards and is now suspended, while Ancelotti will also miss Lucas Vazquez, Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard. As for Elche, they will miss the author of the hat-trick against Villarreal Pere Milla, who also directed a spectacular 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu in January 2022.LA LIGA – Matchday 21FridayCadiz – Girona 2-0 (2-0)/Escalante 6, Guardiola 34/SaturdayAlmeria – Betis 2-3 (1-2)/Suarez 27, Costa 62 – Rodri 6, Canales 42, Guardado 70/Sevilla – Mallorca 2-0 (2-0)/En Nesyri 28, Gil 40/Valencia – Ath.Bilbao 1-2 (1-1)/Castillejo 17 – Williams 30, Sancet 72/SundayGetafe – Rayo Vallecano 1-1 (0-1)/Unal 77 – Arambarri 38 og/Celta Vigo – Atletico Madrid 0-1 (0-0)/Depay 89/Valladolid – Osasuna 0-0Villarreal – Barcelona 0-1 (0-1)/Pedri 18/MondayEspanyol – Sociedad 2-3 (0-1)/Darder 74, Olivan 87 – Kubo 23, Sorloth 51, Cabrera 63 og/Wednesday23.00: (1.18) Real Madrid (8.00) Elche (19.0)***odds are subject to change
