Athletic only defeated once by Elche CF at San Mamés
Athletic only defeated once by Elche CF at San Mamés
The LaLiga 2020-21 newcomers are Athletic’s first opponents of 2021
This Sunday at 14:00 CET, Athletic Club host Elche CF at San Mamés, in what will be the lions’ first match of 2021.
Athletic have played 21 LaLiga matches against Elche in Bilbao, and the historical head-to-head is very much in the home team’s favour.
Since the sides’ first meeting at The Cathedral in 1959, Athletic have won 14 matches, drawn six and lost only once against the green-and-whites.
The lions lost 1-2 against Elche in 2014-15, the visiting side’s most recent campaign in LaLiga Santander before now.
Close shave in the Copa
After spending five seasons in the Segunda Division, Elche returned to the top tier for this season via the play-offs.
However, the two teams did face each other last season, in the Copa del Rey round of 32.
Although Athletic qualified for the last-16, Elche proved to be stubborn opponents, forcing the lions to win via a penalty shootout.