Eibarvs.Real Oviedo

The playoff tie is finely poised after the two La Liga hopefuls played out a goalless draw in Saturday's clash in Asturias.

Match preview

Eibar are participating in their third consecutive playoff campaign after collecting 71 points from 42 matches to finish in third position.

The Basque side are hoping to better their previous performances in the playoffs, having failed to make it past the semi-final stage in the last two seasons.

Los Armeros are arguable favourites to progress to the final after holding Real Oviedo to a draw in Saturday's first leg at Estadio Municipal Carlos Tartiere.

After producing a strong away performance, Eibar will now return to the comfort of Ipurua, where they have won each of their last six matches since losing to Burgos in March.

Thursday's hosts will certainly take confidence from the fact they recorded an entertaining 4-3 victory against Oviedo in their most recent home outing on the final day of the Segunda Division season.

That result represented Eibar's fourth consecutive home win over Oviedo, extending their unbeaten run in head-to-head home meetings to nine competitive matches.

While Eibar are looking to end their three-year wait for La Liga football, Oviedo are hoping to return to the top flight for the first time since the 2001-02 season.

Since being relegated from La Liga, the Asturian side has had 11 years in Segunda, eight years in the third tier and four seasons in the third tier.

They are now participating in the Segunda playoffs for the first time since 1987-88 after they clinched sixth spot thanks to their favourable head-to-head record compared to seventh-placed Racing Santander.

After failing to make the most of home advantage in Saturday's first leg, Oviedo will have to beat Eibar on their own turf if they are to set up a potential final with Espanyol or their Asturian rivals Sporting Gijon.

Luis Carrion's side have struggled for wins in their recent road trips, having seen their last nine away matches produce three victories and six defeats.

They have also won just one of their previous nine games against Eibar (D3, D5), with that sole victory taking place in their most recent home meeting in November.

Eibar Segunda Division form:

W

D

W

L

W

D

Real Oviedo Segunda Division form:

W

W

L

W

L

D

Team News

Eibar forward Jon Bautista is unlikely to play any role in Wednesday's contest, having been forced to miss the last four matches due to a muscle injury.

Joseba Etxeberria could opt for consistency and select an unchanged lineup after seeing his side produce a resolute display in the away leg.

Stoickhov and Aketxe grabbed 12 goals apiece in the regular season, and the pair will continue to offer Eibar's main attacking threats in the second leg.

As for the visitors, they will be unable to call upon the injured trio of David Costas, Mario Hernandez and Rodrigo Tarin, but Jaime Seoane will be available after serving a one-match suspension.

Oviedo will have to assess the fitness of former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla, who has sat out the last matches against Eibar due to an injury issue.

Masca and Paulino de la Fuente could return to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench for the first leg.

Eibar possible starting lineup:

Zidane; Correa, Berrocal, Arbilla, Gutierrez; Nolaskoain, Pereira; Aketxe, Soriano, Corpas; Stoichkov

Real Oviedo possible starting lineup:

Roman; Rozada, Luengo, Calvo, Pomares; Seoane, Colombatto; Masca, De la Fuente, Sanchez; Alemao

We say: Eibar 2-1 Real Oviedo

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