Team Backgrounds and Expectations

Both clubs were absent from Segunda last season, but they arrive from different leagues. Does this imply a straightforward victory for Leganes, fresh from La Liga?

Cultural Leonesa’s Challenging Re-entry

Leonesa, meanwhile, ascended from Primera Federación, the third tier of Spanish football. The club from Leon makes its return to the Segunda after a seven-year absence. Early matches suggest a noticeable rustiness, as they’ve failed to secure a single point, with an aggregate score of 1-7. However, this goal difference is somewhat misleading. Their major setback was a crushing 1-5 defeat away to Burgos, which was largely influenced by a red card and penalty conceded in the very first minute. When Raul Llona’s team has played with a full complement, their defeats have been marginal, not exceeding a 0-1 scoreline.

Leganes’ Promotion Ambitions

Leganes narrowly missed out on retaining their La Liga status. While they faced considerable challenges at that level, this season presents an opportunity to contend for promotion spots. Despite this, their squad value ranks only eighth among the league’s teams, suggesting other returning sides possess stronger rosters. So far, Paco Lopez’s team has shown a pattern of draws, specifically two identical 1-1 stalemates, against mid-table opponents who denied them a win.

Key Match Prediction

Leonesa previously suffered minimal defeats against mid-table teams from last season, Almeria and Sporting. Now, they face a team that is a potential league leader, yet currently performs like a clear mid-table side. This suggests Leganes is not immune to another draw, hence my focus on a neutral handicap for them.