Elche are in the driving seat following the 2-2 draw at El Madrigal, but their opponents Villarreal still remain the favourites to make it to Copa del Rey last 16 stage.

Los Franjiverdes have largely impressed upon gaining promotion to the elite division and they probably deserve even higher league position.

Elche did suffer a small dip in form of late, suffering back to back league defeats to Atletico Madrid and Levante, but they did well to hold Villarreal to a 2-2 draw in their Copa del Rey clash.

As a result, the team now have a good chance to make it to the next stage, and they are 3.25 (9/4) with bet365 to win the return match.

Even with important La Liga match against Malaga scheduled for Friday, boss Fran Escriba is expected to field a strong line-up in the midweek clash with Villarreal.

Carles Gil, Alberto Botia and Sergio Pelegrin have all returned into action, bud David Lomban is doubtful with a muscle problem, while Manu del Moral and Alvaro Gimenez are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Tono – Sapunaru, Pelegrin, Botia, Albacar – R. Perez, C. Sanchez – Gil, Coro, Fidel – Boakye.

Villarreal are doing themselves proud with their performances this season, with even the strongest La Liga sides finding it hard to defeat Marcelino Garcia Toral’s team.

And while both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid failed to win at El Madrigal, the Yellow Submarine were close to producing an upset at Camp Nou, having suffered a 2-1 defeat despite missing two key midfielders.

Their latest performance was enough to suggest Villarreal are now serious top 4 contenders, and nobody will be concerned by the two-point gap behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Submarine will also attempt to extend their Copa del Rey campaign, so bear in mind they are 2.40 (7/5) to see off Elche.

The visitors will have key midfielder Bruno Soriano back from suspension, whereas Cani is doubtful with a knee problem.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Juan Carlos – Pantic, Dorado, Musacchio, Jokic – Aquino, Trigueros, Bruno, Pereira – Dos Santos, Perbet.