Real Oviedo vs Almeria Predictions

• Real Oviedo have won six of their last seven matches and their last five at home
• Almeria are winless in their last 10 away games, losing eight and drawing two of those
• Real Oviedo won the first leg 2-1 in Almeria and beat the Rojiblancos 3-2 at home earlier this season

Almeria have a mountain to climb

Almeria have given themselves a mountain to climb if they are to overcome Real Oviedo and qualify for the Segunda Division play-off final.

The Rojiblancos must win by two or more goals at Carlos Tartiere Stadium on Wednesday to turn the tie around. after suffering a 2-1 home defeat in the first leg. A draw on aggregate, even after extra time, would see the Carbayones through, thanks to their better position in the table during the regular season.

The Asturian team can thank inspired Nacho Vidal, who scored the two goals in Almeria, for their advantage. Veljko Paunovic’s men can dream of a return to La Liga if they finish off the job at home.

Suarez has left Rojiblancos in the lurch

Real Oviedo have won five consecutive matches at their home and will not fear a visiting side that are winless in their last 10 on the road — a shocking run that includes eight defeats. Everything Paunovic has touched since he was appointed in March has turned to gold with Oviedo unbeaten under his stewardship.

They will be coming up against an Almeria side missing their top scorer after Luis Suarez took up an invitation to return to the Colombian national team. He scored 27 league goals in the regular season, which represents 38% of their total, so to say he has left them in the lurch is something of an understatement.

Back a home win, even though they do not need to, because Paunovic will want to maintain the momentum they have established ahead of a likely appearance in the play-off final.