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Preview: Alcorcon vs. Eibar - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 27 May 2022, 08:40
Segunda Division leaders Eibar will be looking to secure the title on the final weekend of the campaign and earn promotion back to La Liga for the 2022-23 campaign.

The visitors are currently top of the division, only ahead of second-placed Almeria on the head-to-head record, while Alcorcon are bottom and have already been relegated to the third tier.

Match preview

Alcorcon have been a Segunda Division side since 2010, but they have been relegated to the third tier for the 2022-23 campaign, having struggled to compete at this level in 2021-22.

The Potters have won five, drawn 11 and lost 25 of their 41 league matches this season to sit rock bottom on 26 points, 19 points from the safety of Malaga in 18th spot.

Alcorcon's recent form has been encouraging, though, picking up four points from their last three matches, winning 3-0 at Real Zaragoza on May 8, in addition to holding high-flying Almeria to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Fran Fernandez's side will already be thinking about next season and how they can improve, but the strugglers could have a huge say in the promotion race on the final weekend and will want to give their supporters something to cheer at the end of a tough campaign.

Alcorcon have the worst home record in the Segunda Division this season, though, picking up just 13 points from 20 matches, and they will be welcoming an Eibar side with the fourth-best record on their travels.

Eibar, meanwhile, finished bottom of La Liga last season to drop into the second tier, but they are currently in pole position to win the Segunda and secure a return to the top level.

A record of 23 wins, 11 draws and seven defeats from 41 matches has brought the visitors 80 points, which has left them top of the league, ahead of second-placed Almeria due to their superior head-to-head record.

A victory on Sunday would be enough for them to win the title, but a draw would open the door for both Almeria and third-placed Real Valladolid to finish above them, with the team in third boasting a stronger head-to-head record over the current leaders.

Eibar just need to look after themselves this weekend, and they are bidding to make it a double over Alcorcon this season, having run out 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture back in November.

Gaizka Garitano's side will enter this contest off the back of a 2-0 win over Tenerife on May 21, and they have been victorious in four of their last five matches during a strong run of form.

Alcorcon Segunda Division form:

Eibar Segunda Division form:

Team News

Alcorcon will be without the services of Cristian Rivero, Ivan Calero, Victor Garcia and Carlos Bellvis on the final weekend of the campaign through injury.

The home side did not pick up any fresh fitness concerns against Almeria, and it is expected to be largely the same XI for this game due to the strength of the performance.

However, it would not be a surprise to see Fernandez make a couple of changes, with Alex Mula and Laure among those pushing to earn spots in the first XI on Sunday.

As for Eibar, Anaitz Arbilla is out of the contest due to a thigh problem, but the league leaders are otherwise in strong shape heading into the contest.

Stoichkov and Chema Rodriguez scored the goals against Tenerife last time out and will continue in the starting side, with Fran Sol set to operate at the tip of the attack once again.

There could be a change in the middle of midfield, though, with Miguel Atienza bidding to replace Oscar Sielva, while 37-year-old striker Fernando Llorente will hope to play a role off the bench.

Alcorcon possible starting lineup:

Ruiz; Calero, Rivas, Carlos, Laure; Mula, Zarfino, Jurado, Olabe, Oscar; Apeh

Eibar possible starting lineup:

Cantero; Correa, Venancio, Rodriguez, Tono; Atienza, Alvarez; Corpas, Exposito, Stoichkov; Fran Sol

We say: Alcorcon 0-2 Eibar

Almeria and Real Valladolid will both be hoping that Alcorcon can do them a favour this weekend, and the basement side have picked up some impressive results in recent weeks, but we are finding it difficult to predict anything other than a routine victory for the league leaders.

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