Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two camps who will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage on Saturday night, Almeria will welcome Real Oviedo to Andalusia.

Almeria

Starting with the hosts, while Almeria might have lost their La Liga status last season, Rubi’s men have their sights set on securing an immediate top-flight return. Picking up some perfect momentum last week as they signed off their regular-campaign adventure with a 2-0 victory at home against Tenerife, La Union are enjoying what has been an extended flurry. Including another 2-0 win against Racing Santander on May 18th, the Andalusia-based outfit mustered seven points from their final three Segunda appearances. Knowing the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage this weekend, Almeria will also be excited by their defensive resolve. Along with keeping a clean sheet in all of their previous three consecutive outings, Rubi’s camp have also come away unscathed in four of their last five Segunda showdowns.

Almeria Team News

Still sidelined with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since the end of November, Almeria will once again be without Ghana international Iddrisu Baba on Saturday night. Likewise, missing out against Tenerife last week, Porto loanee Guidance Guedes remains a major doubt.

Notching 27 Segunda strikes this season and cruising his way to the Golden Boot, former Marseille marksman Luis Suarez will lead the line in Andalusia. Ex-Reims star Dion Lopy will partner 20-year-old Salvi Club Oya in the middle of the park.

Real Oviedo

As for the visitors, while Real Oviedo might have struggled to find any real stability when returning from Spain’s festive break, Los Azules came roaring back in a sensational fashion. Skyrocketing their way up the Segunda standings, Veljiko Paunovic’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Last seen signing off their regular-season charge with a 2-1 victory at home against Cadiz, the one-time Reading coach saw his squad win all of their final three Segunda showdowns by an aggregate score of 4-1. Getting their play-off adventure underway riding what has become a major wave of momentum, Oviedo also registered 16 points from their previous six second-tier appearances. Not suffering a single defeat from any of their final nine outings, Paunovic’s side are more than capable of asking some serious questions here.

Real Oviedo Team News

Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this calendar year, Real Oviedo will once again be without former Las Palmas defender Alvaro Lemos on Saturday night. However, despite turning 40 back in December, ex-Arsenal star Santi Cazorla will feature here.

One-time Barcelona defender David Costas will partner Dani Calvo at the heart of Oviedo’s defence this weekend. Despite failing to find the net in any of his final seven Segunda appearances, Alemao should be handed a full recall and lead the line.

Almeria vs Real Oviedo Key Factors to Consider

• When Almeria and Real Oviedo last met back on February 1st, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Andalusia.
• Along with registering 16 points from their final six Segunda appearances, Oviedo also won their last three showdowns by an aggregate score of 4-1.
• Almeria have remarkably won all of their previous seven consecutive showdowns in Andalusia.
• Seven of Oviedo’s final eight matchups on the road have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Almeria recorded a clean sheet in all of their final three Segunda appearances.

Conclusion

Two camps who open their respective play-off adventures enjoying extended flurries, we could be set for a nail-biting showdown in Andalusia. With Saturday’s opponents playing out a 1-1 stalemate when they last met on February 1st, don’t be surprised to see chances come at a premium this weekend. Along with Almeria recording a clean sheet in all of their final three Segunda appearances, it should also be noted that Oviedo saw seven of their last eight matchups finish with under 2.5 goals.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet