Eldense Prepares for a Key Clash at Carlos Tartiere
Eldense will face a Sunday test at 16:15 as they travel to face Real Oviedo. The visitors have shown moments of strong play and a dynamic approach, building confidence with good momentum against Oviedo. Oviedo’s coach Fernando Estevez emphasized that the team’s recent results reflect their level, noting that the Baseline of reality arrived early and pointed the way forward for the squad. He highlighted the importance of staying focused as they head to the principality’s capital.
The Barça coach confirmed that Deportivo went to Oviedo with the goal of continuing the recent competitive run and taking another step forward in the Hypermotion League. Following a 3-2 win against Espanyol, Eldense entered a week shaped by the close of the winter market amid a potential move away from the squad. Marc Mateu remained with the team, despite rumors, and Estevez praised his contribution as a vital actor in the group’s plans.
Marc Mateu Remains with Eldense After Transfer Talks Stall
The Eldense squad from Granada has altered its makeup compared with the squad that faced Oviedo earlier in the season. The coach noted that the team understood how to handle January’s challenges, while acknowledging that the month is always tricky and that the focus now must stay on what lies ahead.
With Florin Andone and Youness Lachhab sidelined through injury, Eldense has the rest of the squad available for the trip to face Real Oviedo. Oviedo has played nine straight home games without a loss, recently defeated Racing de Ferrol and Leganés, and now aims to push into promotion positions as they anticipate a derby against Sporting at El Molinón next Saturday.
Significant Absences for Real Oviedo
Oviedo’s fault lines continue to show through injuries, with five players sidelined: Rodri Tarín, Mario Hernández, Luismi, Camarasa, and Álex Millán. There are still options to select the starting XI, with Carrion repeating a familiar lineup for the third consecutive match and Paulino de la Fuente competing for a starting role against Masca, who has held the right-wing spot for several days.
Eldense Makes Its Mark in the Second Division
Real Oviedo had secured back-to-back wins and had gone six days without defeat at the Carlos Tartiere, where the Second Division leader Leganés recently stumbled. Oviedo remains close to promotion spots and, with several direct clashes ahead, a win against Eldense would boost their chances of reaching the Asturian derby with Sporting in the promotion battles. The Asturian coach warned his players about the challenge ahead, appreciating the quality of Estevez’s work.
A Historic Visit to Carlos Tartiere for the Blaugrana
The two clubs had met five times in the league, but Oviedo and Eldense had never confronted each other in this stadium until last October. Eldense travels to Asturias for a Sunday clash after visiting Alicante on Saturday, highlighting the club’s season-long ascent and the historic nature of an official match in Oviedo’s ground, a stadium renowned for its football heritage and a capacity exceeding 30,000 spectators.
Across divisions, the two teams have faced each other in different contexts. Their earliest meetings date back to the 1950s, when Eldense rose to second place for the first time and Oviedo competed in the silver tier. In later decades, they crossed paths again in the Second B and later in the Segunda Division, with Eldense securing promotions and establishing themselves among national contenders. The tale of Eldense’s promotion to the Segunda Division last year underscored their growing national footprint, setting the stage for a compelling encounter with Oviedo as both clubs chase stability and progress. The upcoming match promises tension, given Oviedo’s desire to enter the promotion playoffs and Eldense’s aim to continue a positive run and build on recent victories against Amorebieta and Espanyol. The coaches acknowledged the importance of this fixture and the challenge it represents for both sides.
Both Álex Bernal and David Timor commented on the preview, underscoring that the uncertainty of such a fixture makes it especially demanding for both teams. The encounter is anticipated to be a real test of character, tactics, and momentum as Eldense seeks to extend its impressive campaign while Oviedo fights to secure a critical three points on home soil.