The leadership of the Liga Adelante is at stake

UD Las Palmas - R. Betis (midday CET) 

The big victory by the Andalusian side against Valladolid CF (4-0) last week, put Betis into second place, with the same number of points (53) as the Canary Island side, who are league leaders.  Paco Herrera’s men stay in first place despite the fact that they could only manage a 1-1 draw against a brave R. Sporting side.

Therefore, both sides will be fighting for a victory this Sunday that would put them into first place on points and widen the gap with their direct rivals. “A victory will help us to gain confidence. Betis are currently the in-form team but I like facing teams like that”, said the home manager. Pepe Mel, agreed with his opposite number that “it is a very important game for team morale, but after this game there are another 13 matches”.

CD Mirandés – SD Ponferradina (4pm CET) 

The side from León will be aiming to stay in sixth place, which takes them to a promotion play-off place, against a Mirandés side who were defeated by CD Numancia (1-0) last week, and have now gone eight games without a win. “It is essential to perform well at home and in front of our fans. We are hoping to improve on Sunday’s performance. We have a lot of positivity and confidence to take on Ponferradina”, said the Miranda del Ebro manager Carlos Terrazas. 

Girona FC – Albacete B. (6pm CET) 

The Catalan side, two points away from the top spot in the Liga Adelante, will be hoping to forget their 3-0 defeat to SD Ponferradina, against an Albacete side that needs points in order to move away from the danger area, given that they are two points away from the relegation zone. As such, Luis César Sampedro will be aiming to do whatever he can in order to face up to one of the league favourites.

The home coach Pablo Machín stated in the press conference that the aim is “to make the fans proud of a team that gives everything in games. You have to remember that it is very difficult for Girona to play against these historic teams that have been in the Liga BBVA”.

FC Barcelona B – R. Racing C. (6.15pm CET) 

The Catalans will face Racing in a decisive clash where the three points are essential for both teams in order to get out of the relegation zone. Barcelona have only taken one point from the last possible fifteen, while Racing managed to overcome their poor form with a 2-0 win against At. Osasuna last week. The visiting manager Francisco Javier Pinillos will be without Francis Pérez and Koné due to injuries, as well as Fede San Emeterio and Samuel Fernández, due to bans.