Valladolid vs Cartagena

There are 8 games left in Segunda Division, and Valladolid is definitely a team that deserves to get promoted without play-offs. They are currently 5 points up front Celta in the second place, and they need not to make mistakes. In the next final 8 games that are left, Valladolid has only two important and difficult games to play, and both are after this game vs Cartagena: the following one away against Deportivo (1st), and the following after that at home against Hercules (4th). Every other game they can win or take most out of it. So, against weak side Cartagena, at home they have to do the most out of it: get a relaxed win.

 

Valladolid has 5 wins in their 5 last games, and they have not lost in their last 7 games. They are in good form and the incentive mentioned above keeps them going. I doubt they will stay undefeated all the way to the end, but there are more difficult games coming than this one against Cartagena. Valladolid have their basic right-back Balenziaga missing today, but the right-winger Sisi will get his position (which is good for an attacking philosophy). The attacker Bueno is coming back to the squad, as well as the backup attacker Manucho Goncalves.

 

Cartagena (21st) has 30′ more to play in their suspended game against Celta (3rd), where the game was left at 1-1! It is unknown when they will play these 30 minutes, but still it is very possible that Cartagena will get a point from Celta (which will help Valladolid too..). Cartagena has never won a game in their last 9 games, taking only 3 draws out of them. They are one of the favorites for relegation. The only thing they want against Valladolid is not to loose. So they will play defensively as they always do, keeping their defenders close together. However a lot of basic players are missing today, their captain midfielder Mariano will be absent, as well as fellow midfielder Dimas and defender Txiki are absent too. Midfielder Torres is also out of the squad today.

 

We bet for the best team to win today, with at least a goal difference. Very possible since these two teams have a huge gap of difference between them and the top team has a better incentive to win (and ability). I am going with a goodish.. betting odds here by W.Hill, as these odds are scrolling down every minute…