Our prediction for this Segunda Division match:
Promotion-chasing Eibar will look to regain their spot in top two when they face Cartagena in the Basque Country on Sunday. Los Armeros are eager to recover from the Basque derby defeat to Alaves, and they are seen as hot favourites to win this match. Keep in mind, though, that midfielder Sergio Alvarez is banned for the match, whereas defender Sacristian misses out with injury.
The visitors, on the other hand, have been struggling to find their form in 2024. Since Cartagena collected only two points in total from the last five league fixtures, we are going to bet on the home side this time out. Experienced forward Alfredo Ortuno could be recalled to the starting XI after scoring as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to Levante, but there are no other selection worries in the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Kiko Olivas):
Kiko Olivas is an experienced Spanish defender, who was born in Antequera on August 21, 1988. Olivas started his youth career at Malaga and he continued playing for los Boquerones at senior level. The 189-cm tall centre-back made 5 appearances for Malaga in La Liga before joining fellow Spanish side Villarreal. Kiko Olivas made only 6 appearances for the Yellow Submarine in the Spanish elite division, but he played over 140 games for Villarreal B in Segunda Division.
Olivas played for the likes of Cordoba, Sabadell and Girona as well before joining Real Valladolid. La Pucela impressed in the 2017/2018 Segunda Division campaign and, as a result, they secure promotion to the Spanish top flight.
Kiko Olivas has 4 caps for Spain U21 team, but he has yet to make his debut for the senior team. His preferred foot is right and it has to be noted that his contract with Real Valladolid should expire on June 30, 2020.
Highlighted Team (Cartagena):
Founded on July 25, 1995, Cartagena is a Spanish football club that plays in La Liga 2. Los Boquerones dropped to Segunda B in the 2011/12 season, but following an eight-year absence, they returned to the Spanish second tier.
Cartagena play home matches at Cartagonova, the venue which can hold 15,105 spectators. The stadium was built by CMMP Arquitectos in 1987, and opened the following year. Real Murcia are regarded as the club’s main rivals, with the two teams facing each other in the Derbi of the Region of Murcia. Toche is leading Cartagena’s all-time top goalscoring chart with 39 goals.
Los Boquerones are well known for their black shirts with white stripes. Red, on the other hand, is the dominant colour of the club’s away kit. It has to be noted that Cartagena have never competed in la liga. The club’s highest ranking in the Segunda Division came in the 2009/10 season when they finished the campaign in 5th position in the standings.