Previews
SAT 25.04.2015
CD Lugo – AD Alcorcón (4 pm, Estadio Ángel Carro)
Matchday 35 of the Liga Adelante gets underway with an evenly-matched encounter, as Alcorcón make the trip from Madrid to Galicia. One point separates the teams, who sit in 12th and 13th place respectively and are out to meet their chief objective – ensuring survival – as soon as possible. Both will look to claim the points and remain halfway up the table.
Alcorcón coach José Bordalás travels with an 18-man squad, and explained: "We're aware that it’s a difficult ground to go to with tough opponents, but we go there raring to win back the points we dropped at home." Meanwhile, home boss Quique Setién is ready to host an Alcorcón outfit that is "a good side with plenty about it".
At Osasuna – Albacete B. (6 pm, Estadio El Sadar)
Los rojillos, who are currently in 20th place, will attempt to pick up a much-needed victory to earn three points that could serve to lift them out of their current predicament in the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Albacete go to Navarre on a high after their win over RC Recreativo on the most recent matchday, and are focused on coming out on top to keep the points column ticking over.
Osasuna coach José Manuel Mateo believes that "it's the most important match that the club has had in a long while," adding: "Only a win will do. Albacete are in good shape and are confident. They play bright, bold football. They’re dynamic, but I have a lot of faith in my players and what they’ll produce".
D. Alavés – Real Betis (6:15 pm, Mendizorroza)
This matchday sees the team from Vitoria host the current Liga Adelante leaders. On a run of seven games unbeaten at home and lying in ninth position, Alavés face the test of overcoming a Seville-based side that have not tasted defeat in five matchdays and will travel to the Basque country out to maintain their grip on automatic promotion.
Both coaches were full of praise for their rivals. Albiazules supremo Alberto López sees Betis as "a clear candidate for promotion", adding: "They make for interesting opponents, a huge test for us." Meanwhile, visiting boss Pepe Mel expects a side that "do a good job". "They have a good group of players and Mendizorroza is a ground where the crowd really make their presence felt," he said.
FC Barcelona B – SD Ponferradina (6:30 pm, Miniestadi)
Matchday 35 pits two teams against each other that have differing targets in their sights. For basement boys Barcelona B, it is another opportunity to pick up points as they bid to escape from the relegation places. Meanwhile, the club from El Bierzo will battle to stay in the promotion play-off positions.
Jordi Vinyals, coach of los azulgranas, will have his whole squad available except the injured Wilfrid Jaures Kaptoum, while Ponferradina boss José Manuel Díaz takes 19 players to Catalonia. The suspended Alberto Aguilar joins Cristian Fernández, Francisco Javier Prieto and Alberto Sansinena 'Tete' in being unavailable for the visitors.
RCD Mallorca – CD Tenerife (8 pm, Iberostar Estadio)
Saturday's action comes to a close with a clash between two closely-matched teams with three things in common: both have 39 points, drew last time out and are fighting for survival.
Mallorca coach Miquel Soler views his opponents as a side that "have good players" and cannot afford to "make any more mistakes". He continued: "We're playing at home and have to take the initiative." Raúl Agné, boss of the Canary Islanders, expects "a good match, with two teams who’ll want to win and will both look to take the game to their opponents."
© LALIGA - 2015