The Segunda División promotion race heats up as Eibar takes on Sporting Gijón at Estadio Municipal El Molinón on Sunday.

This encounter holds significant weight for both teams, with Eibar aiming to solidify their position in the automatic promotion spots and Sporting Gijón desperately seeking points to secure a coveted place in the promotion playoffs.

Eibar Strives for Return to La Liga

Eibar approaches this match in a confident mood, currently sitting comfortably in third place with 68 points. Their recent 1-0 victory over FC Cartagena extended their unbeaten run to three games (two wins and one draw). However, the challenge of achieving automatic promotion remains significant. They trail second-placed Real Valladolid by a single point, making every point crucial in the remaining matches. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy gap over teams like Sporting Gijón in the playoff race is also vital for Eibar.

Sporting Gijón Chases Playoff Dream

Sporting Gijón enters the fixture with contrasting emotions. Their recent 2-1 loss to Leganés halted their momentum and highlighted their inconsistency. Currently occupying seventh place with 60 points, they are locked in a fierce battle for the final playoff spot. A mere two points separate them from Real Oviedo in sixth place, further emphasizing the importance of securing a positive result against Eibar.

The comfort of playing at Estadio Municipal El Molinón offers Sporting Gijón a potential advantage. Throughout the season, they have accumulated 39 points from a possible 60 in their home league matches, indicating their strength on familiar turf. However, Eibar’s away record, boasting seven wins in 20 league fixtures on the road, suggests they shouldn’t be underestimated.

The recent head-to-head record between the two teams provides a glimmer of hope for Sporting Gijón. They remain unbeaten in their last three Segunda División encounters against Eibar (one win and two draws). The previous meeting in December resulted in a 1-1 draw at Estadio Municipal de Ipurúa. Eibar will be determined to end this winless streak and secure a crucial victory in their promotion push.