Our prediction for this Segunda Division match:
Monday’s football game between Mirandes and Cartagena will bring down the curtain on day 16 of the new La Liga 2 campaign. Mirandes are undefeated in the previous four league fixtures, but they need to start winning on a regular basis if they are to avoid relegation to Segunda B. Oscar Pinchi should return to the starting XI after he was rested in the Copa del Rey win over Vimenor, whilst there are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
The Black and Whites, on the other hand, aim to stay in the playoffs berth, but given their ups and downs on the road, the share of spoils is on the cards at Estadio Municipal de Anduva. It has to be noted that Cartagena defender Pedro Alcala is sidelined through suspension after he was sent off in a 1-1 draw with Lugo at the weekend.
Highlighted Player (Manu Garcia):
Manu Garcia is a product of Real Sociedad youth academy. The Spanish midfielder, who was born on 26 April, 1986, started playing for Real Sociedad B at the age of 19, making 101 appearances for the Basque outfit between 2005 and 2008. He scored 18 goals for Real Sociedad B and, as a result, Eibar chiefs decided to sign him in July, 2008. Manu Garcia spent the 2008/2009 season on loan at Real Union, scoring eight goals in 29 appearances for the club and in 2010 he joined Logrones.
Finally, in June 2012 he made probably the best decision of his career as he signed a contract with Segunda Division side Deportivo Alaves. Manu Garcia made 37 appearances for El Glorioso on his debut season and he quickly established himself as a first-team regular.
Garcia scored five goals for Alaves in the 2015/2016 Segunda Division campaign and, no doubt, he helped the team secure promotion to Primera Division. He has a contract with Alaves which expires on 30 June, 2018.
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.