Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Segunda División play-off match.
The semi-final clash in the Segunda División play-offs between Racing Santander and Mirandés promises plenty of intrigue even before the first leg kicks off. In Santander, two evenly matched sides will be cautious in their approach, probing for opportunities in a tightly contested affair. While they arrive in contrasting form, their chances of progressing to the final appear nearly equal.
Racing Santander
Racing Santander had gone a full month without a win — drawing twice and losing twice — before securing a crucial 2:1 victory over Granada last weekend. A defeat in that match could have cost them a top-six finish, despite spending most of the campaign in the play-off zone. In 21 home fixtures this season, Total Under 2.5 goals has landed on 11 occasions, as the team adopted a more conservative approach towards the end of the league campaign.
Mirandés
Mirandés boast the second-best defensive record in the Segunda División, having conceded just 40 goals — only Elche, who gained automatic promotion, allowed fewer (34). Mirandés enter this tie on a six-match unbeaten run, comprising five victories and one draw, and kept two clean sheets during this sequence. In Santander, they are likely to play on the counter and save their attacking intent for the second leg.
Racing Santander vs Mirandés Prediction
The last meeting between Racing Santander and Mirandés, a 2:1 away win for the latter in the second half of the season, followed a stretch of four consecutive matches between them where Total Over 2.5 goals did not land. Under high-pressure conditions, goals may again be at a premium on Saturday.
