Elche vs Osasuna: Kickoff time, team news and what to expect in Friday’s LaLiga clash
Elche’s search for a first league win of 2026 meets an Osasuna side pushing toward the European picture on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 3: 00 PM ET. The stakes sit at both ends of the table: survival worries for the hosts, momentum management for the visitors.
Match context and kickoff
Elche return home in need of a reset after a six-match winless run in LaLiga, losing three straight and slipping to 15th. The cushion over the drop zone is just two points, raising the pressure heading into a meeting with a historically awkward opponent. Osasuna arrive ninth and within five points of sixth place, turning steady winter form into a credible late-season push.
The hosts can take heart from their home performances this season. Elche own one of the stronger records on their own pitch, with 20 points from 12 home outings. Conversely, Osasuna’s away returns have lagged behind their overall progress, with only eight points collected from 12 road matches.
Form guide and recent meetings
Elche’s last league victory was a 4-0 statement against Rayo Vallecano in late December, but they have managed just two points since. The slide hasn’t completely unraveled their season—only four points separate them from the top half—but the margin for error is narrowing.
Osasuna come in confident after a four-game unbeaten spell in the league (three wins, one draw), capped by a 2-1 result in their most recent outing. There is lingering frustration about the away form, yet the overall trajectory remains positive under current stewardship.
Head-to-head trends tilt toward the visitors. Elche have won nine of 33 meetings in all competitions, and their last success in this matchup dates to November 2015. Both of the last two clashes ended 1-1—the reverse fixture earlier this season and the most recent meeting at Elche in January 2023—hinting at a tight margin again.
Elche team news
Elche must cope without key defender David Affengruber, suspended after reaching a yellow-card threshold in the previous match. That absence disrupts the defensive core at a time when the team is trying to halt a skid. On-loan full-back Hector Fort remains sidelined with a shoulder issue. Attackers Rafa Mir and Josan are also set to miss out due to muscle problems.
Andre Silva, who found the net against Real Sociedad, projects to carry the goalscoring burden again, with Alvaro Rodriguez expected to partner or support him in the forward line. The task for Elche will be marrying their typically solid home platform with sharper final-third execution—an area that has cooled since their big win to close out 2025.
Osasuna team news
Midfield receives a boost with Lucas Torro eligible to return after suspension, restoring balance and ball-winning presence in the middle of the park. Jon Moncayola and Iker Benito remain out, while defender Flavien Boyomo will be assessed following an ankle issue and appears unlikely to start.
With the visitors managing minutes and injuries sensibly during a busy stretch, the emphasis falls on continuity—sturdy defensive structure, quick transitions, and set-piece potency. Watch for the wide channels: Abel Bretones Cruz offers an adventurous outlet down the flank and could influence territory and delivery even if not heavily involved on the scoresheet.
Key matchups and tactical outlook
– Elche’s central defense without Affengruber vs Osasuna’s direct runs: The hosts must reorganize quickly and protect the space behind the back line. Early duels and second balls will be decisive, especially if Osasuna target quick switches.
– Midfield control: The possible reintroduction of Torro shifts the midfield contest toward the visitors. Elche need energy and discipline to prevent long spells of pressure that have led to late concessions during the slump.
– Set plays: With margins so narrow in recent meetings, dead-ball situations loom large. Osasuna’s delivery and back-post targeting can tilt proceedings; Elche must avoid cheap fouls near their box.
– Home edge vs away drag: Elche’s strong home record is the clearest counterweight to Osasuna’s recent upturn. If the hosts assert themselves early, they can nudge the match toward a familiar, lower-tempo rhythm that suits them at Estadio Martínez Valero.
Prediction
There is a push-pull to this fixture: Elche’s resilient home form against a visitor trending upward but still searching for a convincing road performance. With both sides drawing the last two meetings 1-1 and the hosts missing a key defender, the balance points to another tight encounter.
Prediction: Elche 1-1 Osasuna.
