Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Segunda División match.
After securing a 2:1 away win in the first leg, Real Oviedo hold a clear advantage heading into the second leg. They can afford to adopt a more conservative approach and look to exploit any mistakes, while Almería have no choice but to win if they are to stay in the promotion race.
Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo showed determination by clinching victory in stoppage time. They now return to their home ground, where they have suffered just one defeat in their last 11 outings. Known for their pragmatic style of play, Real Oviedo have not seen a match exceed a Total Over 3.5 during this stretch. Typically, they score once or twice before shutting the game down, having kept six clean sheets since the start of the calendar year.
Almería
Almería failed to make their home advantage count and now face the prospect of being eliminated from the promotion race to La Liga. Despite enjoying 57% possession in the second half of the first leg, none of their six shots on target found the net. The status of Léo Baptistão, one of their few players capable of deciding a game single-handedly, remains uncertain. Their away form has also been underwhelming, with only one win on the road since the beginning of the year.
Real Oviedo vs Almería Prediction
Real Oviedo are in a commanding position. They return to their home ground with a comfortable lead and have been consistently strong in front of their own fans. In contrast, Almería have faltered in away fixtures throughout the second half of the Segunda División season and will need something extraordinary in Oviedo to turn the tie around. The hosts are expected to score and then manage the game from a deep position to protect their advantage.
