Bitesize Prediction: Sporting Gijon vs Zaragoza – 14/10/23

Competition: Spanish Segunda

Market: Sporting Gijon win

Odds: 11/10 @ BetUS

Two sides who have their sights set on securing a Segunda play-off spot this season, Sporting Gijon will welcome Zaragoza to the Estadio El Molinon on Saturday evening.

Starting with the hosts, while Sporting Gijon might have spent large spells of last season scrapping it out in a relegation scrap, Miguel Angel Ramirez’s side have come roaring back this time around. Making a string of improvements since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, some in Rojiblancos’ camp could be smelling the chance to spring a shock promotion charge. Although the Asturias-based outfit might have been last seen slumping to an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Racing Santander, Gijon should still find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Opening October with back-to-back victories against Elche and Huesca, the former Charlotte coach has seen his squad suffer just a single loss from any of their previous seven Segunda showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to August 27th. With their eye-catching flurry highlighted by a 2-1 win against promotion contenders Tenerife last month, Gijon should be smelling the chance to lay down another play-off marker here.

As for the visitors, although Zaragoza might have come flying out of the traps when opening the 2023/24 campaign, Fran Escriba’s side have largely come crashing back down to earth. Last seen making an immediate return to losing ways as they slumped to a routine 2-0 defeat at home against Alcorcon, Los Manos have the feel of a squad seeking some much-needed stability. Opening October with another toothless performance as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mirandes, Zaragoza have now claimed just a single win from any of their previous five Segunda appearances. With that extended rut stemming back to September 10th, Saturday’s guests will also be worried by a downbeat record at the Estadio El Molinon. Hit with a 1-0 defeat when they last travelled to Gijon back in January, it is worth highlighting that Zaragoza have lost three of their previous four Segunda visits to Asturias. Bagging just a single goal in their last four second-tier showdowns, we ate backing a home victory here.

Bet: Sporting Gijon 11/10 to beat Zaragoza in Saturday’s Segunda battle @ BetUS