Previews
SÁB 17.01.2015
Unbeaten so far this season, Sporting take on a Betis side currently enjoying a run of five wins and a draw from their last six league encounters. Pepe Mel, the Andalusians’ coach, pointed out the opponents strengths: "They have all the qualities of a reserve side: humility, hunger and youth. They are a great team to watch".
FC Barcelona B – RC Recreativo
An encounter between two sides who after starting the season well but currently find themselves near the relegation zone. A technical decision by the Catalan club sees Joan Campins, David Babunski and Diawandou Diagne left out of the reserve team squad. Meanwhile, the Andalusians will be without Braulio, who is unable to play because of flu.
UE Llagostera – R. Valladolid CF
The Liga Adelante’s second-placed side, Valladolid, travel to Llagostera with the aim of keeping their great run of form in 2015 alive. Lluís Carrillo, the Catalan outfit’s manager, looking ahead to the upcoming rival: "They combine together excellently so we will have to try to make it uncomfortable for them whenever they have the ball. Looking over their squad player by player, they have are a very complete unit".
RCD Mallorca – CD Mirandés
Mallorca play hosts to one of the division’s most in-form sides, Mirandés, who have gone nine games undefeated. Despite the good spell, the manager, Carlos Terrazas, does not consider this match a given considering how dangerous Mallorca are: "They have extraordinarily talented players and they can turn the game in their favour at any moment".
The Aragon outfit have Mario Álvarez and Carlos Diogo back for this fixture, however, they will have to do without Rubén González, Lolo Ortiz and Eldin Hadžić. Diego Aguirre, Carlos Delgado and Borja Lázaro come back in for Leganés, meaning that Mikel Santamaría and Javier Eraso will miss the match.
CD Tenerife – CD Numancia
The Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López is the setting for a head-to-head between two sides level on 23 points. Tenerife’s home-grown talent Vitolo gave his thoughts about his team and the opponents: "What we need to change this weekend is the result, there has to be a good level of fight and good play. Numancia are handy when it comes to dead ball situations. Perhaps we’ll need to concentrate on not giving away fouls in dangerous positions".
AD Alcorcón – SD Ponferradina
Matchday 21 wraps up with a clash between the Liga Adelante’s sixth and eighth-placed teams, who are only separated by two points. Pepe Bordalás, the Madrid team’s coach, spoke about the importance of the game: "We come into this during a streak without any victories and are eager to get back to winning ways".
© LALIGA - 2015