After some tremendous games and magnificent goals in the third round of the Spanish La Liga, we just can’t wait for the next round to start! The opening match of the fourth round is set for Friday, September 15th, when Eibar and Leganes will lock horns at Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
Both teams will easily fight against relegation this year, so everyone is expecting a tough battle with an uncertain outcome. We would like to take a closer look and see what we can expect more from these teams. Hopefully, we will give you the best free betting predictions for this duel.
EIBAR vs. LEGANES
3-Way: 1: Eibar +123; X: +240 Draw; 2: Leganes +320
Spread -0.5: Eibar +125; Leganes -120
Total +2: Over -111; Under +106
EIBAR
Los Armeros were excellent in the first two rounds of the new season, although they’ve lost three points against Athletic Bilbao at home. Last Saturday they were easily beaten by Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, 3:0, so now it is time to learn from their own mistakes and try to get a new win against Leganes in front of the home fans.
While Eibar was a quite aggressive team in the first two games, against Sevilla it was a pretty lethargic performance. In the first half, they haven’t created a single goal scoring chance, looking just to defend their net. The defensive approach was successful until the start of the second half when Ganso finally broke the deadlock. It was the sign for Eibar’s players to start attacking, and in the 70th minute of the game, they had the best chance to level the match. Kike’s shot was cleared off the goal line by Clement Lenglet, and only six minutes later Sevilla doubled the lead. It was the end of the game for Jose Luis Mendilibar’s team, who only managed to concede the third goal in injury time.
Eibar had a heavy start of the La Liga 2017/18 season, with two difficult away games (Malaga and Sevilla), and one at home stadium (Athletic Bilbao) in the first three rounds. Somebody can grade three points out of these three matches as a success. Now they will face Leganes at home, so it is a chance to get more points against the team with similar strength, particularly if we look their schedule. Los Armeros will visit Barcelona in the fifth round on Tuesday, 19th September, before they welcome Celta Vigo in the sixth round on Sunday, 24th September. The game against Leganes could be crucial for their self-confidence.
Mendilibar’s boys need to bring back the aggressive approach from the first two rounds if they want to beat Leganes on Friday. Dani Garcia, who has the most completed passes (101) with a 77% pass accuracy, will lead his team from the midfield, along with Japanese Takashi Inui. Joan Jordan, who has served the suspension in the previous round, is available for the clash, and I expect to see him in the starting eleven. He is a guy with the highest pass accuracy (84%) in Eibar’s team, with 69 completed passes. The man who created the most chances for his teammates should be also on the field – left-back Jose Angel, who arrived from Porto this summer, produced five key passes and one assist so far.
Eibar’s manager will have some troubles with injuries, as well as from the start of the season. The goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez is still unavailable due to cruciate ligament rupture, while wingers Pedro Leon and Ivan Alejo are out with a knee injury.
LEGANES
After a great start of the season, and six points out of first two rounds, Leganes were beaten 2:1 from Getafe at home last Friday. Once more, they’ve scored after a rebound, but this time it wasn’t enough for a victory, or even to earn a draw. They’ve played responsibly at the defensive end like they did against Alaves and Espanyol in previous rounds, but there was no defense against Getafe’s missiles on Friday night.
Leganes made the first big chance of the match in the 37th minute when the striker Miguel Guerrero was few inches short to put the ball into the net. Just two minutes later Mauro Arambarri shocked the home fans with the magnificent strike from about 30 yards. The ball finished in the top right corner, with no chances for Leganes’ goalkeeper. In the second half Leganes were pushing more, trying to level the match, and in 65th minute Miguel Guerrero made it 1:1. After Getafe’s goalkeeper Guaita made two excellent saves, Guerrero managed to put the rebound behind his back.
In 72nd minute Miguel Guerrero could become a hero, but his penalty was saved by inspired Vicente Guaita. However, eleven minutes after missed penalty, there was another shock for home players and fans. Getafe’s substitute, Alvaro Guerrero, netted with a beautiful strike from 20 yards, and there was no coming back for Pepineros.
Leganes’ manager, Asier Garitano, will have to work with his guys on their attacking skills, as they’ve created 23 chances, scoring just three goals (all three after a rebound). The average passing accuracy of just 72% is also unsatisfactory. They will need to improve in the final third if they want to continue with good results. The defense looks nice, and so far the centre-back Ezequiel Munoz, who arrived from Genoa this summer, is proving he’s going to be a big reinforcement. Along with him, the Argentinian Martin Mantovani is playing very well, also adding a goal to his name.
There are no serious injury problems among the squad, except the defender Dimitrios Siovas, who’s out due to muscle fiber, and left-back Raul Garcia, who has knee problems.
EIBAR vs. LEGANES – Match Prediction
Eibar certainly needs a victory in this clash, before they face Barca and Celta Vigo in next two rounds. The three points from this one will be a huge relief. I expect to see the high pressure on Leganes’ defensive line, with some disciplined defending. It could be enough for a win, as Leganes has serious issues with scoring.
Also, I look for a Leganes’ defensive approach, as they should be satisfied even with a draw. One goal could decide the clash, so maybe the game could end up in the Under 2 goals. My safer pick is Eibar to win, as the home team has a lot more to lose in this game.
MY PICK: Eibar to win (+123)
Additional Pick: Under 2 goals (+106)
