Amorebieta and Eldense meet this Saturday at Lezama, scheduled for 16:15, a clash that places the home side at the foot of the table seven points from safety, while the visitors arrive four points clear of relegation. It promises to be a pivotal moment in a season where every result counts for both teams.
SD Amorebieta heads into the game after a 1-1 draw in Oviedo. That result ended a six-match winless run and brought to a close a stretch where only two points were earned from a possible 18, leaving the team near the bottom of the standings.
New rival coach
With a new coach installed just days ago, Jandro Castro, the Blues arrive at Lezama with the return of Xabi Etxeita. Etxeita has been out with injury for months and is seen as a key figure in strategic matches.
Amorebieta also reshaped its squad in the winter window, bringing in familiar faces such as Unai Bustinza, who has been training at Urritxe for some time, Iker Unzueta, who returned home, and Ángel Troncho, who arrived on loan from near Eibar.
It remains to be seen whether any of these new additions will feature once the official confirmation arrives on Thursday. Castro is expected to align his side with a plan similar to Carlos Tartiere’s, aiming to exploit their best moments at home after the early concession of a goal.
Amorebieta lineup
The anticipated starting XI sees Etxeita and Pablo Campos in goal and four defenders, with Jorge Mier and Dani Lasure operating on the flanks and Félix Garreta in central defense. Centre-back Manu Hernando returns from suspension and is trusted by the coach. Álvaro Núñez could also feature on the flanks as an option.
Castro is expected to pair Kwasi Sibo and Alex Carbonell in midfield. If there are changes, it would be in the attacking phase, with wingers Jorge Dorrio and Rayco Rodríguez and forward Eneko Jauregi among the game’s standout performers in Oviedo. In that match, Australian midfielder Ryan Edwards started the 11 and could keep his place alongside Jauregi if conditions allow.
Eldense’s ambitions
Eldense arrives with a clear aim to secure a place in the second tier after a run of solid ball retention. The team has managed four draws in recent weeks as part of its push to maintain a precarious position in the standings.
Eldense and the draw trend
During a week marked by roster changes, Eldense has shown resilience. The club approached Lezama with energy, seeking to pressure Amorebieta and avoid a difficult night at home for the visiting side, which is facing challenges at the bottom of the LaLiga Hypermotion table.
Dauda’s introduction and club goals
Dauda’s arrival is framed by the club’s belief in a bright future. Eldense is four points ahead of the relegation zone and sits 11 points above its weekend opponent, reflecting a confident outlook from the coaching staff. The head coach described Amorebieta as a dangerous opponent capable of producing strong performances in recent sequences. He warned that the match will be hard-fought and not easy for either side.
Promotion implications
Last season both clubs were in the First Federation and engaged in a tense race for direct promotion. The final verdict went to the Basque side, though Eldense later clinched promotion as well. The upcoming clash remains part of a broader battle for position in the second tier and has potential implications for both clubs’ trajectories this season.
Eldense will not be able to count on forward Florín Andone, defender Carlos Hernández, or midfielder Youness Lachhab due to injuries. The remaining squad members are available for selection.
Possible squads
SD Amorebieta: Pablo Campos; Jorge Mier, Xabi Etxeita, Félix Garreta, Dani Lasure; Dorrio, Kwasi Sibo, Alex Carbonell, Rayco Rodríguez; Ryan Edwards, Eneko Jauregi.
Possible substitutes: Alvaro Acebes; Toni Abad, Iñigo Piña, Dumic, Marc Mateu, David Timor, Sergio Ortuño, Clemente, Iván Chapela, Cris Montes, Mario Soberón.
Referee: Álvaro Moreno Aragon (Madrid). Stadium: Lezama.