On Sunday night, Las Palmas will look to consolidate their position in the Segunda’s top two by recording a home win over out-of-form Sporting Gijon.
Las Palmas form guideThe Islanders currently possess the second automatic promotion spot in the Spanish second tier. However, they are only ahead of third-place Granada courtesy of a superior head-to-head record following their 2-0 defeat earlier this season over the Andalusians.
A recent league run of just one win in their last five outings has done little to aid their chances of landing one of the two automatic promotion spots this season. However, a 4-1 defeat at Tenerife ended an 11-game unbeaten run for Garcia Pimienta’s team.
Las Palmas have a strong recent home record in the Spanish second tier, as they are unbeaten in six home league games, having recorded four wins and two draws.
Sporting Gijon form guideThe visitors may now be looking over their shoulders nervously at the league’s bottom four, as they are in 18th place in the table and six points clear of the danger zone. Gijon cannot afford complacency and know they need to start picking up points quickly.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they have recorded just one win in their previous eight matches in the Segunda. They have also lost three of their last five games in the Spanish second tier.
Their recent league outings have been short on goals, as 14 of their last 16 league matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
Sporting Gijon have been woeful travellers of late, as they have failed to win in six away games in the Segunda while suffering five defeats. A goalless draw at Burgos last time out ended a run of five straight losses on their Segunda travels.
What am I backing?Las Palmas desperately need maximum points to consolidate their top two position in La Liga. I believe they will record a narrow victory in a relatively low-scoring encounter.