Eibar will host familiar foes Elche in the Copa del Rey round of 32 clash on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
The history between the two sides is long, competitive, and often closely contested. Across 33 meetings, neither club has dominated outright, but the visitors hold the more successful recent record, particularly over the last decade.
Match preview
Eibar progressed to the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey with qualifying round victories over Naxara CD (4-2) and Pontevedra (3-0), both away from home.
Los Armeros enter this Copa del Rey clash looking to advance to the next round, but they will have to overturn a challenging trend against Elche.
Recent encounters have been difficult for Eibar; since 2015, they have managed just one win in this head-to-head matchup, a 2–1 home victory on 19 August 2023. Since then, they have failed to score in three consecutive meetings, losing 0–2 twice and drawing 0–0 once.
Historically, Ipurua has been a venue where Eibar could impose themselves physically, yet recent results suggest that Elche have become more adept at controlling these encounters. Eibar have scored only five goals in their last six home matches against Elche and have been shut out in three of them (0–2 in 2024, 0–1 in 2020, 0–1 in 2015).
Currently competing in the Segunda Division, the home side have endured a miserable campaign so far, winning just one of their last 12 second-tier games and languishing in 20th spot in the table as a result.
© Imago / Maciej Rogowski
Elche also arrive at this stage of the competition following progression from the qualifying rounds, in which they recorded victories over CD Quintanar del Rey and Los Garres.
While they secured a straightforward 4–0 win away at Los Garres, they had to work harder for their victory against Quintanar, prevailing in extra time after a 1–1 draw in regulation.
Los Franjiverdes head into this stage against Eibar with a significant psychological edge, having been the superior side in this rivalry over the past decade. Across their last seven meetings, Elche have conceded just two goals, scored eight, and kept six clean sheets.
The visitors have also been going steady in La Liga this season, claiming 19 points from 16 games to sit 11th in the table, although seven draws are a joint-high in the Spanish top flight.
Eibar Copa dey Rey form:
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Eibar form (all competitions):
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Elche Copa dey Rey form:
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Elche form (all competitions):
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Team News
© Imago
Eibar have a few fitness concerns heading into the match; Jon Guruzeta suffered a muscle injury last time out, while Ander Madariaga was also taken off with an injury last time out.
These absences may affect Eibar’s attacking rotations, meaning the club will likely rely on other forwards to step up in their places.
Striker Javi Marton has two goals in two appearances in this competition this season, while winger Jose Corpas will look to add to his one goal in one game.
For Elche, manager Eder Sarabia also faces fitness concerns ahead of the trip to Eibar. Midfielder Grady Diangana is coping with a hamstring injury and has been ruled out, alongside striker Andre Silva.
Top scorer Rafa Mir (six goals) could be influential in this fixture, while centre-backs David Affengruber and Victor Chust may also play crucial roles in what could be a tightly contested match.
Eibar possible starting lineup:
Magunagoitia; Cubero, Arbilla, Esnal, Arambarri; Alvarez, Olaetxea; Magunazelaia, Garrido, Corpas; Marton
Elche possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Bigas, Affengruber, Chust; Nunez, Aguado, Febas, Valera, Fort; Rodriguez, Mir
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