Villarreal – Elche Sees Marín and Buchanan Return as Elche Fights Relegation
What happened: Villarreal and Elche meet at La Cerámica with both clubs needing a win for different aims — Villarreal to protect its place in the race for the Champions League and Elche to arrest a damaging run that threatens its top-flight status. Sunday at 3: 00 p. m. ET marks the showdown in which the villarreal – elche duel will put returning starters and disciplinary headlines under the spotlight.
Villarreal – Elche: Marín and Buchanan Return for Villarreal
Marcelino set a starting XI that includes Rafa Marín in central defense and Tajon Buchanan on the wing, reinstating two players highlighted as returns. The named lineup lists Luiz Júnior in goal with Mouriño, Pau Navarro, Rafa Marín and Cardona across the back; Buchanan, Comesaña, Pape Gueye and Moleiro in midfield; and Nicolas Pépé with Mikautadze leading the attack.
Elche Brings Four Changes as Survival Pressure Mounts
Elche arrives with four confirmed returns to the starting side: Buba Sangaré, Víctor Chust, Grady Diangana and Álvaro Rodríguez. The coach selected Dituro in goal with Buba, Affengruber and Chust among the defenders and Pétrot listed; the midfield and attack include Diangana, Febas, Aguado, Germán Valera, André da Silva and Rafa Mir. Elche sits one point above the relegation zone and has gone nine league matchdays in 2026 without a victory, heightening the importance of this fixture.
Sarabia and Marcelino Reunite; Squad Absences and Controversies Persist
Managers Marcelino García and Eder Sarabia meet again in Vila-real, a reunion that recalls their previous overlap at the club when Marcelino led the first team and Sarabia worked with the youth side. Villarreal’s matchday squad sees the return of Gerard Moreno after weeks out, while injuries and absences remove Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala and Juan Foyth from contention; Ayoze Pérez is also listed among the unavailable forwards.
Off-field issues shadow Elche: forward Rafa Mir has been linked to two recent controversies, including an alleged insult toward an opposition player and a fiscal request for 10 years and a half of prison on charges of aggression and injuries. The club and dressing room have publicly invoked the presumption of innocence amid what the coaching staff describes as a delicate moment for team stability. On availability, Elche will be without Héctor Fort as he recovers from a shoulder injury and Yago de Santiago serves the second of a two-match suspension; Pedro Bigas and John Chetauya remained doubts after limited training during the week.
Squad selection choices could be decisive: Sarabia signaled possible tactical shifts that include Víctor Chust in a three-center-back line, Buba Sangaré on the right flank and Grady Diangana in the No. 10 role, while Marcelino’s restored starters aim to preserve home solidity that has underpinned Villarreal’s position in the upper table.
Next confirmed event: Final team announcements and last-minute availability updates are expected before the match on Sunday; managers are scheduled to confirm any late changes ahead of kickoff. No further official times were provided for those updates.
