Gijon vs Espanyol Prediction & Betting Tips (9 June)

Sporting Gijon, well known in La Liga after having spent a few seasons there, is back in these playoffs and will play its best after finishing in 5th place and finishing with two successive victories in the league against Eibar who finished 3rd 1- 0 and the smallest score on the pitch of the promoted Eldense 0-1. Note also that the locals have won three of their last four championship matches. Relegated from La Liga last year, Espanyol Barcelona wants to return to the sender but too short to compete with Leganes and Valladolid in the race for the top 2 Furthermore, Martin Braithwaite's teammates finished in the top 4 by defending a series of 16 games without defeat, i.e.

no more than one defeat since February 10. Small downside all the same for the Catalans who only won six matches during this period for 10 draws.

Two absences should be noted at Gijon with the unimportant Zarfino (only 3 appearances this season) and the faithful Macho Mendez (5 goals in 38 appearances this season in Liga2), both on the flank (injured). Authors of 10 pawns each Otero and Campos (doubled on the last day to date) will be in the game just like Campuzano (6 goals). OUT for the season for x amount of time, Exposito (21 appearances this season) will be forfeited at the like Gragera (important) and defender Victor Ruiz (15 caps in the league).

Striker Keita Baldé (ex-Monaco) will be out of this first round. Pol Lozano (1 assist this year) will be in the mix, as will the top scorer in Liga2, Martin Braithwaite (22 goals) and Javi Puado (13 pawns, 2 assists) or even midfielder Nico Melamed (4 goals, 3 cakes) and Pere Milla (4 pawns, 3 offerings).