Real Valladolid will welcome Huesca to Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on the final weekend of the regular Segunda Division campaign knowing that a victory could see them win the title.
The home side are currently third in the table, two points behind leaders Eibar and second-placed Almeria, while Huesca occupy 11th, boasting 54 points from their 41 league games this term.
Match preview
Real Valladolid finished 19th in La Liga last season to drop into the Segunda Division, but they have put themselves in a position to earn promotion back to the top flight on the final weekend of the campaign, currently sitting third in the table, two points behind leaders Eibar and second-placed Almeria.
The White and Violets have a superior head-to-head record over Eibar, so a win for the home side here, and a draw for Eibar against Alcorcon, would see Real Valladolid finish ahead of them to earn promotion, but they would need Almeria to lose against Leganes, as they have an inferior head to head with the team in second.
Pacheta's side just need to win on Sunday and see where that takes them, with a record of 23 victories, nine draws and nine losses bringing them 78 points, nine points clear of fourth-placed Tenerife, so it would be a huge disappointment if they remained in the playoff positions.
Real Valladolid will enter this match off the back of three straight victories, having overcome Eibar, Ponferradina and Ibiza since losing at home to Real Sociedad B at the start of the month.
Pucela have the third-best home record in the Segunda Division this term, picking up 43 points from 20 matches, and they will be welcoming a Huesca outfit that have won six, drawn six and lost eight of their 20 away fixtures this term to collect 24 points.
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Huesca will enter this weekend's contest off the back of a 3-2 home success over Real Sociedad B, which proved to be their first success in Spain's second tier since April 10.
A record of 13 wins, 15 draws and 13 defeats from 41 matches have brought them 54 points, which has left them in 11th position in the table, three points behind ninth-placed FC Cartagena.
Huesca, who finished 18th in La Liga in 2020-21 will again play in the Segunda Division next term, but they could have a huge say in the promotion race this weekend.
Xisco Munoz's side recorded a 3-2 victory over Real Valladolid when the two teams locked horns in December, but the pair have not met at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla in the Segunda Division since February 2018, when Real Valladolid ran out 3-2 winners.
Huesca can finish higher than 11th on the final weekend, but they could also drop down to 14th depending on other results, so there is certainly room for movement.
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Team News
Real Valladolid remain without the services of Oscar Plano due to a tendon problem, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into this weekend's contest.
Head coach Pacheta could decide to select the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Ibiza last time out, with Toni Villa and Gonzalo Plata again supporting Shon Weissman in the final third of the field.
Weissman has scored 19 league goals during a successful campaign, and the 26-year-old will be bidding to fire the home side back into the top tier on the final weekend.
Huesca, meanwhile, have no fresh concerns ahead of this match, and Dani Escriche and Pablo Insua will also be available following suspensions.
Insua is expected to return to the starting XI on Sunday, but Escriche, who was sent off in the defeat at Amorebieta on May 14, is likely to be on the bench.
Jaime Seoane has enjoyed an impressive scoring season for Huesca, finding the back of the net on 14 occasions, and the 25-year-old will again be in the team for the visitors.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Perez, Fernandez, El Yamiq, Martinez; Sanchez, Mesa, Aguado; Plata, Weissman, Villa
Huesca possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Ratiu, Miquel, Timor, Insua; Rico, Mosquera; Munoz, Seoane, Mateu; Gaich
We say: Real Valladolid 2-1 Huesca
Huesca are certainly capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Real Valladolid, but the home side's quality in the final third of the field should carry them to three points, and it remains to be seen whether that would be enough for them to finish above either Eibar or Almeria to earn promotion back to La Liga.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
