Spot in Promotion Play-Off Final on The Line
In a back-and-forth game on Sunday, Espanyol managed to grab a late winner to defeat Sporting de Gijón in Gijon. Now, Espanyol just need to avoid defeat vs Sporting Gijón on Thursday to advance to the La Liga 2 Promotion Play-off Final.
Sporting Gijón have to get a goal back and even if they do, they’d be heading into extra time with an added disadvantage. If Thursday’s match finishes level at the end of 120 minutes, Espanyol would go through to the final because they finished higher in the La Liga 2 table than Gijón. Ahead of a much-anticipated Semifinal Second Leg, we’ll check out the Espanyol vs Sporting de Gijón betting odds.
Espanyol vs Gijón Head-to-Head:
The La Liga 2 scores in this fixture this season have been even. During the regular season, Sporting Gijón defeated Espanyol 2-0 at El Molinon. In the reverse fixture, hosts Espanyol could only manage a scoreless draw.
Sporting Gijón hosted the first leg of the Semifinal but couldn’t manage to come away with a result. Gijón winger Haissem Hassan caused problems for Espanyol’s defense but none of his crosses led to a goal. Instead, Espanyol’s Martin Braithwaite played a perfectly-timed through ball for Javi Puado, who rounded Sporting Gijón’s keeper and scored an 88th minute winner. The pregame Espanyol vs Sporting de Gijón betting odds listed visitors Espanyol as +200 underdogs.
All-time, Espanyol are 30-12-7 at home vs Sporting Gijón. Sporting Gijón are winless in their last three games away at Espanyol.
Espanyol Remain Unbeaten Under Gonzalez
Espanyol have been one of the best La Liga 2 teams as of late. They’re now on a 17 game unbeaten run, which started back in February. Under coach Manolo Gonzalez, who took charge in March, the Parakeets are 5-8-0. They’ll need to avoid defeat at home on Thursday to advance to the La Liga 2 Promotion Play-off Final.
It didn’t come as a surprise that Braithwaite and Puado were the two players involved in Espanyol’s lone goal on Sunday. Braithwaite was La Liga 2’s leading scorer but he turned provider as he split open Sporting Gijón’s defense with an excellent pass. Puado showed composure to finish and he’s scored 15 goals this season, in all competitions.
Espanyol did get exposed a few times on their left flank. Pere Milla, who has been playing left back/wingback recently, isn’t exactly a defensive-minded player. So, perhaps Gonzalez will have to adjust heading into Thursday’s game. While Edu Exposito is out for the season, fellow midfielder Pol Lozano is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s match.
Sporting Gijón Struggling on Road
In the regular season, Sporting de finished in fifth place in the La Liga 2 table, one place behind Espanyol. They had the weakest goal difference of any team to make the playoff (+9 in 42 matches) and haven’t been in the best form over the last few months. In their last eight matches, Sporting Gijón are 3-1-4.
Gijón had their most success on Sunday when Haissem Hassan ran at Espanyol’s defense. Hassan played an incisive pass that led to a good chance and managed to beat defenders on multiple occasions to put on crosses. Hassan could be key on Thursday once again but Gijón struggled to create chances in the course of normal buildup.
Bettors should note that Gijón are just 2-1-6 in their last nine games away from home. With a one goal deficit, they’ll be forced to take more risks on Thursday. Nacho Mendez returned from an injury to come on as a substitute on Sunday and Sporting Gijón could have a full squad at Espanyol.
Match Analysis & Odds
Espanyol haven’t lost to a fellow Segunda Division team at home since October. Here, the Espanyol vs Sporting de Gijón betting odds price the hosts as favorites to extend their unbeaten run to 18 games. Remember, it’ll only take a draw for Espanyol to go through after 90 minutes and the current best price on one is +235.
Meanwhile, Sporting Gijón need a 90 minute victory and if the score is tied late on, they’ll have to commit numbers forward. Gijón are +310 90 minute underdogs and they’ve scored just once in their last three matches at Stage Front Stadium.
Espanyol could remove all doubt by winning the match and they’re -105 moneyline favorites for the time being. While Espanyol’s ATS and moneyline odds are the same, Sporting Gijón +0.5 shows -115 odds.
Espanyol have always earned promotion on the first opportunity when they’ve played in the Segunda Division and that’s something to keep in mind. Under 2.5 goals are priced at -150 odds and we do think this could be another low scoring match.
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