A new and tough challenge for Eder Sarabia

he elchethe 2026 match begins with the following matches: la liga before this saturday VillarrealOnly once in the past 10 years have they been able to win the first match of a calendar year, both in official competition and in the Copa del Rey.

Elche’s team broke through this negative dynamic last year and started 2025 with a great victory against Elche. UD Las Palmas In the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, they defeated their rivals, who were playing in the first division at the time (4-0).

Prior to this result, Elche teams traditionally start the new year with a poor result, whether in First, Second, Second B or Copa del Rey matches, which usually coincide with the first match after the holiday period.

Elche carried that strong start into the 2025 league campaign. A few days later, Eder Sarabia’s team repeated their victory, this time against Zaragoza, breaking a record of nine consecutive years without a win in the first match of January.

The last time Elche started a calendar year with a league victory was in the 2012-13 season, when they defeated Sabadell (3-2) and were promoted to the First Division as champions of the same category.

Here are the results of Elche’s first match of the calendar year over the past 10 years.

2024-25 Elche vs. Las Palmas (4-0) Copa del Rey

2023-24 Elche vs. Girona (0-2) Copa del Rey

2022-23 Ceuta vs. Elche (1-0) Copa del Rey

2021-22 Elche vs. Granada (2-2) 1st Division

2020-21 Athletic vs. Elche (1-0) Part 1

2019-20 Elche vs. Huesca (1-1) Part 2

2018-19 Tenerife vs. Elche (2-1) Part 2

2017-18 Elche vs. Sabadell (0-1) Second B

2016-17 Elche vs Cadiz (2-3) Second Division

2015-16 Elche vs. Mallorca (1-1) Second Division