Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon prediction 13.06.2024

• Competition: La Liga 2
• Date: Thursday, 13th June, 2024
• Kickoff: 20:00 UTC +1 / 21:00 CEST
• Venue: Stage Front Stadium (Cornella de Llobregat)

Following Espanyol's 1:0 win in the first leg, Espanyol and Gijon will face off in the second leg of the La Liga 2 Promotion Playoffs Semi-Finals at Stage Front Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat.

Espanyol were relegated from La Liga last year and are seeking an immediate return to the Spanish top-flight division. Before La Liga 2 started, they were one of the favorites to return, but they failed to reach a direct promotion, missing it only by three points. Even though they still have a long way to go to achieve promotion, the Catalonian team started this playoff well, winning the first leg 1:0 away from home.

Sporting Gijón, on the other hand, is aiming for promotion after spending seven consecutive seasons in La Liga 2. The Rojiblancos had an impressive season, finishing 5th and qualifying for the Playoffs. Given their 17th-place finishes in the previous two seasons, this year has already been a success for them. Nevertheless, they are determined to overturn the one-goal deficit.

Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon pick: Espanyol to win

In the last part of the season, Espanyol was really good. Right now, they are on a 17-game unbeaten run. At home, they have been particularly dominant, losing just once in 21 La Liga 2 rounds. On the other hand, Sporting Gijon have been terrible lately away from home, losing six of the last nine games. Therefore, expecting them to secure a positive result against one of the best home teams in La Liga 2 seems unrealistic.

In the first leg at Gijón, Espanyol emerged victorious with a 1:0 win. Both teams had chances, and it was a miracle we saw just one goal. Objectively, Espanyol was a better team and deserved this win. They had 2.24 xG, compared to Gijon's 0.97, along with more ball possession (55%) and more goal attempts.

From what we have seen in the first leg, combined with a home-pitch advantage, we strongly believe that Espanyol should secure another win and advance to the finals.