Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker:
Two sides who will be desperate to pick up a first-leg advantage on Saturday evening, Real Oviedo will welcome Eibar to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere.
Real Oviedo
Starting with the hosts, while Real Oviedo might have eventually clung to their play-off ticket earlier in the month, the Blues only scrapped by thanks to their goal difference. Signing off their Segunda adventure with an action-packed 4-3 loss away at Eibar, Luis Miguel Carrion’s men have struggled with their constancy over the past month. Signing off April with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Tenerife, the Asturias-based outfit collected just a trio of victories from any of their final eight Segunda appearances. However, knowing the importance of picking up a crucial first-leg advantage on Saturday evening, Oviedo will be excited to make a return to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere. Last seen in front of their own supporters collecting a routine 3-0 romp against Andorra, Carrion’s side have lost just one of their previous 18 straight matchups in Asturias a run that stems all the way back to September 24th.
Team News
Dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance since the start of February, 29-year-old David Costas remains on the sidelines and will not feature on Saturday evening. Coming off the bench and bagging a brace against Eibar on the final weekend, one-time Aston Villa misfit Borja Baston could be handed a full recall here.
Recently returning from a knock, Carlos Pomares Rayo should keep his spot alongside academy graduate Viti at the heart of Oviedo’s defence at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere.
Eibar
As for the visitors, signing off their Segunda campaign with a 4-3 victory at home against Oviedo, Los Armeros will be desperate to produce a repeat performance here. Losing just a pair of their final eight second-tier appearances last season, some have tipped Joseba Etxeberria s men as a standout play-off contender. However, although the Basque-based outfit might have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 10 meetings against Saturday’s hosts, the former Mirandes boss will have a headache over his side’s extended issues away from the Ipurua Futbol Zelaia. Along with signing off April with 2-1 defeat at the hands of Albacete, Eibar collected just a sole victory from any of their last six showdowns on the road a run that stems back to March 3rd.
Team News
While veteran defender Anaitz Arbilla might have missed Eibar’s 4-3 victory against Real Oviedo on June 2nd, the 37-year-old should make a full return here. However, dealing with a recent knock former Real Sociedad striker Bautista Jon remains a real doubt ahead of Saturday’s first-leg showdown.
Although Brazilian marksmen Alemao might have bagged just a single strike since the end of March, the 26-year-old should spearhead Eibar’s charge this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
