Elche come into this one with a point to prove. They've been grinding through a tricky spell, and the recent trip to Deportivo La Coruna was a real test of character. That game had 'tight' written all over it, and the expectation was a low-scoring share of the spoils. Elche's defensive spine, with David Affengruber anchoring the middle, looks solid. They're not flashy, but they're organised and hard to break down. At home, they'll feel they can edge it, but they've also shown a habit of settling for the draw when the pressure mounts.

Eibar, meanwhile, are the classic second-tier travellers. They come to the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero with a clear identity: compact, disciplined, and dangerous on the break. Their recent form has been a mixed bag, but they've got that stubborn streak that makes them a nightmare to play against. They won't dominate possession, but they don't need to. They'll sit in, soak up pressure, and look to nick something on the counter or from a set-piece. This has all the makings of a cagey, tactical affair where neither side wants to lose.