Home form key to Oviedo's promotion push

R. Oviedo lie third in the Liga Adelante and eveyone connected with the club is excited about the possibility of a return to the Liga BBVA after 15 years in the wilderness. The dream is closer to becoming reality with each passing game. They have turned the Carlos Tartiere into a formidable fortress where they are undefeated since 19 September, with the run now stretching to ten games.

Oviedo have racked up seven wins and three draws, in which they have notched 15 goals and only conceded five, since they last tasted defeat at home in a 2-1 reverse against Girona FC. Several teams sitting in the upper reaches of the table, such as D. Alaves, league leaders until last week, R. Zaragoza and Nastic, have failed to take maximum points from the Carlos Tartiere in recent months.

Esteban has been one of the key figures in this impressive home run. The 40-year-old goalkeeper was between the sticks the last time the Carlos Tartiere hosted a Liga BBVA fixture in 2001. The club stalwart is now one of the players spearheading the team's promotion push 15 years down the line. He's only been beaten twice in his last eight games on home turf. His performances continue to excite a fan base that consider him an idol.

Further up the pitch, Toche and Mamadou Kone's goals have also been crucial. The Spaniard has scored six times during Oviedo's ten-game unbeaten home run, with his goals earning the club many important points, while the 24-year-old Ivorian has found the net three times, including one in last Sunday's 3-0 win over Elche CF.

Real Madrid were the last club to visit the Carlos Tartiere in the Liga BBA almost 15 years ago. If Oviedo manage to keep up their impressive home form in what remains of the season, they may well be rubbing shoulders with the giants of Spanish football once again very soon.

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