Three sides have earned the right to feast at the top table of Spanish football ahead of the new season, but who are they? What is their topflight history? And do they have what it takes to stay up? Huesca – Segunda Champions Huesca will be a familiar name to any recent follower of La Liga after bouncing straight back to the topflight after finishing 19th in their debut season in 2018/19. However, the season was not without its highs with a 2-1 home win over Sevilla a particular highlight. This season, the minnows will be far better prepared than their first foray into La Liga in … [Read more...]
Who may or may not be promoted to La Liga?
With the globe seemingly in lockdown and football no nearer to ending the current campaign, it has left many wondering whether promotion and relegation will even happen in Spain this year. If the season does end up being null and voided, who are the clubs most likely to lose out on a seat at the elite table of Spanish football? Cadiz It has been 14 years since Cadiz last graced La Liga and the club known as the yellow submarine sit in prime spot in the Segunda division to make an immediate return – but only of the season can be completed. After 31 games, Cadiz hold a one-point … [Read more...]
Granada the unstoppable force
Well, nobody expected this! As soon as Granada earned promotion from the Segunda Division last season after finishing as runners-up, no one in Spain’s top flight even battered an eye-lid. After all, it was hardly the first time Granada would be contesting a season in La Liga and considering the last time the Nazaríes finished inside the top flights top ten was in 1974, Granada were viewed by many as the whipping boys of the division once again. However, it seems manager Diego Martínez has been feeding his unfancied chargers a double dose of Weetabix as the find selves … [Read more...]
Promoted Team Profile: Osasuna
Although the Segunda division still rumbles on for another two matchdays, as Osasuna boast a six-point lead at the top of the able and a ten-point advantage over third-place Albacete, it is safe to say the minnows from Pamplona will be contesting La Liga next season. But are they? And what will they bring to the division? History The club with the nickname Gorritxoak are no strangers to Spain’s top-flight. In fact, from 2000 to 2014 the side contested every La Liga season and even finished fourth at the end of the 2005/06 campaign. However, relegation followed at the end of the … [Read more...]
Barca Lookalikes Huesca Earn Promotion to La Liga For First Time
Spanish minnows Huesca are celebrating after achieving promotion to the top table of Spanish football for the first time in the club’s history after a 2-0 victory over Lugo in Spain’s second tier Segunda division was enough to see the side claim enough points to guarantee promotion. With two games still to go, Huesca will now aim to win the Segunda title ahead of Rayo Vallecano who they have a two-point advantage over. A Long Road to the Top The club is notable for their similarity in kits to the mighty Barcelona who they will be mixing it with next season and can trace their heritage … [Read more...]
Three Things To Expect From Sporting Gijon Next Season
Following Las Palmas' promotion on Sunday, all 20 teams for next season's La Liga campaign are known. Alongside the Gran Canarians are Segunda champions Real Betis and Sporting Gijon. Plenty has been made of Betis with the return of Pepe Mel causing quite a stir, and it will be interesting to see whether their free-scoring style will continue next season. However, less is known about Sporting, the side that finished second ahead of Girona by a whisker. Here are three things you need to know before seeing them next year. Defensive solidity Although Sporting ended the season in second place … [Read more...]
Late strike sends Las Palmas into La Liga on away goals
Sergio Araujo's 84th minute goal helped Las Palmas beat Real Zaragoza on away goals and promotion into La Liga for the first time in 13 years. Zaragoza travelled to Gran Canaria as favourites having won the first leg 3-1, but Las Palmas recorded a 2-0 victory which saw them through on away goals. Roque Mesa opened the scoring on 33 minutes to give the hosts real belief of finding a second as Araujo left it late to clinch promotion. The moment was sweet for Las Palmas boss Paco Herrera who previously managed Zaragoza between June 2013 and March 2014. Veteran Juan Carlos Valeron, the … [Read more...]
Zaragoza close in on La Liga with first leg victory over Las Palmas
Real Zaragoza went one step closer to a return to La Liga as they came from behind to win the first leg of the play-off final last night. Goals from Diego Rico, Pedro Sanchez and Willian Jose gave them a 3-1 win over Las Palmas with the return leg to be played on Sunday. Fresh from a dramatic 10 days in the Segunda, Zaragoza found themselves 1-0 down at La Romareda courtesy of a strike from ex-Valencia man Jonathan Viera. However, having come from 3-0 down against Girona in the first leg of the semi-finals, Zaragoza roared back and ensured that they will travel to Gran Canaria with the … [Read more...]
Three Reasons Why Betis Are Storming Back to La Liga
Real Betis' relegation from La Liga last season was an absolute shambles, finishing a massive 15 points from safety in the end. Down long before the season's climax, the club are now making waves in La Segunda and look to be heading back to the big time. To bounce straight back up to La Liga is uncommon, although Deportivo did manage the feat last season as runners-up to Eibar. Yet looking further down this season's table, we see many ex-Primera Liga sides squandering such as Mallorca, Racing Santander and Osasuna in 17th, 18th and 19th respectively. Having suffered a 14 match winless streak … [Read more...]
Promoted Eibar closer to relegation than La Liga
After beating local rivals Deportivo Alaves on Sunday evening, SD Eibar were promoted to La Liga following Las Palmas' defeat to Recreativo Huelva. The tiny club from the Basque Country has never featured in the top division against the likes of Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid in their 74 year history, but due to an absurd technicality, could be forced to wait even longer for their time at the top. Due to no fault of their own, the Basques could even find themselves demoted to the Segunda Division B if the rules stand. It is a rule which has sparked mass interest in Spain and across … [Read more...]