Espanyol - Real Oviedo CF predictions and free betting tips [23/06/2024]

On Sunday, June 23 Espanyol will host Real Oviedo in the return leg of the Spanish Segunda Playoffs. The white-yellows secured a narrow advantage in the match a week ago (1-0), so the Catalan team needs to win at all costs at their home ground.

Espanyol

Espanyol suffered their first defeat since February 10 in the first match of the playoff final for a spot in La Liga, capitulating to Oviedo away with a 1-0 scoreline. The teams went into halftime with a 0-0 score, but Alemao managed to score in the 72nd minute. Manuel González's men finished fourth in the regular season, just three points behind Valladolid, who finished second. This allowed the Catalans to qualify for the playoffs. In the previous round, they dealt with Sporting Gijón (0-1 in the first match, 0-0 in the return leg). It's important to note that the hosts' last home defeat in the Segunda was on October 20 against Leganés, and their current unbeaten streak at Stage Front Stadium stands at 11 matches across all competitions!  

Fans are concerned that their favourites have failed to score in five of their last eight matches (though they have kept four clean sheets). Edu Expósito and Pol Lozano will watch the match from the stands due to injuries. On the positive side, El Hilali (38 league appearances this season) is back from injury and ready to step onto the pitch, at least in the second half. The coaching staff expects much more from the attacking duo Braithwaite (22 goals, 3 assists) and Javi Puado (14 goals, 2 assists) in this final game of the season, as they have yet to make an impact in June. Jofre Carreras and Álvaro Aguado will also retain their places in the starting lineup, while Óscar Gil is likely to be benched.

Real Oviedo

Oviedo fans have been waiting for their team's return to La Liga for 9 years; they left the top flight in the 2000-01 season. The guests will travel to Catalonia in high spirits after a narrow 1-0 victory in the first match, courtesy of a goal from Alemao. In the previous playoff round, Oviedo managed to eliminate Eibar, who finished third in the Segunda standings (0-0 in the first home match, 0-2 in the return leg in the Basque Country). It's worth noting that the team had a poor away record last season, finishing 13th overall in this category with 21 points from 21 matches, scoring 21 goals and conceding 25.  

It's worth noting that the guests haven't conceded in their last three matches and have scored at least once in six of their last seven games across all competitions. Veteran Spanish footballer Santi Cazorla (39 years old) occupied a place on the bench in the previous round but didn't step onto the field, and he's unlikely to play this Sunday. Taryn, who was injured and didn't play a single match this season, is also far from contending for a spot, similar to Mario Hernández and David Costas. On the other hand, Alemao (7 goals) will take the lead in the attack, supported by Moyano (9 goals, 4 assists) and Paulino de la Fuente (9 goals). Luismi and Colombatto will be responsible for the defensive midfield, and Róman will don the goalkeeper gloves.

Head-to-head

In each of the three encounters this season (including the first playoff match), the home team emerged victorious. The duel a week ago ended in a 1-0 victory for Oviedo.

Prediction for the Match: Espanyol vs Real Oviedo

Espanyol have no choice but to take the initiative and make up for the deficit. The Catalans perform very well at home and have only lost once here all last season (back in October). Real Oviedo haven't been in La Liga since the start of the 21st century but looked much more convincing last week. I think the guests have every chance of at least not losing (let's hedge our bets and go for a +1 handicap).