Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Hoping to move within touching distance of the play-off spots on Monday night, Cordoba will travel to the Estadio de La Romareda when they meet Real Zaragoza.
Real Zaragoza
Starting with the hosts, continuing to show a string of issues since returning from Spain’s festive break, Real Zaragoza find themselves at the heart of a Segunda relegation scrap. Opening the weekend fixtures holding just a one-point buffer over slipping into the drop zone, Gabi’s side have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders. Last seen putting in a woeful display as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Almeria, the Aragon-based outfit are without a win from any of their previous seven consecutive Segunda appearances. With their worrying rut underlined by an action-packed 4-2 defeat at home against Eldense, Zaragoza have continued to show some major defensive struggles. In fact, Monday’s hosts have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 17 matchups across all competitions.
Real Zaragoza Team News
Away with Bosnia & Herzegovina this month on World Cup qualifying duties, Samed Bazdar will not feature on Monday night. Likewise, making just a single appearance since returning from Spain’s festive break, Carlos Nieto is not expected to play any part here.
Notching a pair of Segunda strikes since completing a January loan switch from Valencia, Dani Gomez should play a leading role in the final third. One-time Villarreal goalkeeper Joan Femenias will start between the sticks in Aragon.
Cordoba
As for the visitors, while Cordoba might have only made their Segunda return this season, the Caliphs are enjoying what has been a real second-tier flurry. Knowing that they can remarkably move within touching distance of the play-off places here, Ivan Ania’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Despite suffering late heartbreak at home against Sporting Gijon last week as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate, the Andalusia-based outfit have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous seven appearances. Getting March underway with a sensational 5-0 romp against Granada, some in Cordoba’s camp could be smelling the chance to extend on their shock play-off charge. It should also be highlighted, Monday’s guests have collected 16 points from their previous six Segunda showdowns outside of Andalusia.
Cordoba Team News
Picking up a late red card against Sporting Gijon last week, former Sevilla starlet Antonio Manuel Marin will serve a one-match suspension here. Dealing with a recent knee issue, former Monaco youngster Adilson Mendes-Martins will not play any part in Aragon.
While Osasuna loanee Anderlecht Yoldi might have failed to notch a single Segunda strike since the middle of September, the 24-year-old could be handed a rare start. Completing a permanent move from Sevilla during the January transfer window, Pedro Ortiz will partner Alex Sala in the middle of the park.
Real Zaragoza vs Cordoba Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Zaragoza and Cordoba met for their reverse Segunda showdown on November 23rd, Monday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate.
- Cordoba have remarkably collected 16 points from their previous six Segunda appearances outside of Andalusia.
- Real Zaragoza have failed to muster a single victory from any of their last seven consecutive outings.
- Monday’s hosts have recorded just a sole Segunda victory on home soil since the start of November.
- Five of Cordoba’s last seven away fixtures have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Remarkably picking up 16 points from just their previous six Segunda showdowns outside of Andalusia, Cordoba will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Knowing that they can move within touching distance of the play-off places, Monday’s guests will meet a Zaragoza squad who find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Losing their back-to-back Segunda appearances by an aggregate score of 8-3, Los Manos find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. However, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 stalemate when they met for their reverse Segunda meeting on November 23rd, we could be treated to another enjoyable contest here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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