Elche vs Zaragoza predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s Spanish Segunda Division play-off Semi-Final 1st Leg. Read on for analysis and betting picks as the race for the final place in LaLiga 2020/21 finally begins.
Elche vs Zaragoza Preview
After Depor’s late comeback to beat Fuenlabrada in their rearranged game last Friday, Elche finally had confirmation that they will be in the play-offs after a three week wait filled with uncertainty and controversy. To some extent, justice has been done with Elche standing to be the biggest losers from so-called Fuenlagate and their bid for promotion commences with a home game against Real Zaragoza.
Elche’s season ended with a 2-1 victory over Real Oviedo which propelled them to 6th place but it was hardly a convincing climax to the season for the side from the Valencian Community. They only won 4 of their 11 games following the restart but it was enough to sneak into the play-offs which offers them a chance to end a five year absence from the top flight with their most recent appearance in LaLiga ending in relegation due to excess debt in 2015.
Zaragoza fans have been waiting even longer to taste top flight action again. It’s seven years in the Segunda now for Los Maños and if they don’t win promotion this year, they will equal their longest ever spell outside the top flight (set between 1943 and 1951).
They looked very well set to go on and clinch automatic promotion at the time Spain went into lockdown. However the return to football did not go well for them with 7 of their final 11 games ending in defeat. 5 of those losses came at La Romareda and they ended the season with the Segunda’s best away record but 7th worst home record.
Elche also often fared better on their travels, which suggests home advantage will not be a major factor in this tie.
Elche vs Zaragoza Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw
These play-off games are not easy to call, particularly in the bizarre circumstances that have led up to this season’s matches. It’s very difficult for an outsider to have a clear idea as to how these sides have managed to prepare for this game, particularly in Elche’s case given it was three weeks after the season ended before they even knew they would be in the play-offs.
That sense of a late reprieve may give them an extra touch of freedom to go and attack these games but Zaragoza probably benefited from the chance to have a few weeks off to regroup and refocus after their end of season struggles. Given their strong away record, the visitors look capable of getting a result here although they will badly miss top scorer Luis Suárez who has returned to parent club Watford.
Segunda Division Play-Off Betting Tips (18+)
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Elche vs Zaragoza H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Zaragoza Wins, 2 Elche Wins.
- Zaragoza have won all of the last 3 meetings including the 2 league clashes this term.
- However Elche have won 4 of their last 6 at home to Zaragoza overall.
- The most recent clash saw Zaragoza win 2-1 on this ground in February.
Predicted Line Ups
Elche Team:
Edgar Badía – Óscar Gil, Verdu, Josema, Juan Cruz – Folch, Víctor – Iván Sánchez, Nino, Josan – Jonathas (4-2-3-1)
Zaragoza Team:
Cristian – Vigaray, Atienza, Guitián, Nieto – Eguaras, Guti, Kagawa, Soro, Burgui – Linares (4-5-1)
We will have previews for every Segunda Division play-off game.
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