Previews
SAT 03.01.2015
D. Alavés - CD Mirandés
The sides from Vitoria and Burgos will be responsible for getting the ball rolling on Liga Adelante matchday 19. Alavés, who saw out 2014 with a draw against Girona FC to reach 12th place, will be looking to hold strong in the Mendizorroza in order to keep climbing the table. They will face a hot Mirandés, who are unbeaten in their last seven matches and just four points below the playoff positions.
The Basque side's coach, Alberto López, will have to make do without the injured Migue, Jiří Jarošík and Unai Medina. The visitors' new signing, José Antonio Espín, did not make Carlos Terrazas' squad for the game.
UE Llagostera - Girona FC
A passionate derby to get the year underway. The two teams are fighting for very different goals. Despite their recent victories, Llagostera are in 19th place and need to continue their hot streak in order to escape the relegation zone. Their opponents, Girona, will be looking for a victory that would allow them to consolidate their position near the top of the table.
The visiting manager, Pablo Machín, was keen to praise his opponents: "Llagostera are a very intense team with a lot of quality. They will be very motivated, it won't just be for three points".
RCD Mallorca - Albacete B.
Both teams come into this clash in serious need of points. Mallorca need to get out of a rut after six matches without a win, while Albacete are currently propping up the table and do not want to lose touch with safety.
The Balearic side will be without defender Nikola Gulan, who has picked up a knock. For the side from La Mancha, Jorge Pulido will be a doubt until the last minute with a left ankle sprain.
At. Osasuna - CD Leganés
Both the side from Navarre and the team from the capital saw out 2014 in style; with two consecutive victories. Therefore, they will be looking to continue their run and keep climbing the table.
For this match, Jan Urban, Osasuna's coach, will have to make do without the suspended Miguel Flaño, the injured Oier Sanjurjo and Jordan Lotiès, and Iranian internationals Javad Nekounam and Karim Ansarifard. Leganés, for their part, will be missing Fernando Velasco, who is serving a suspension.
FC Barcelona B - UD Las Palmas
The Canary Island side visit the Barcelona reserves as they look to maintain their place atop the Liga Adelante table. To do so, they will have to overcome a Barcelona B who are looking to pick themselves up after a 7-0 defeat to R. Valladolid CF at the end of 2014.
The Catalan side's manager, Eusebio Sacristán, will not be able to call on the services of the injured Lucas Gafarot and Wilfrid Kaptoum, the suspended Diawandou Diagne, or Joseph Ondoa and Maxi Rolón who are on international duty. For the island side, Jonathan Viera, a new winter signing, is in Paco Herrera's squad.
© LALIGA - 2015