Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon Prediction and Betting Tips | 13th June 2024

Espanyol will welcome Sporting Gijon to the Stage Front Stadium in the Segunda División promotion playoff semifinals on Thursday. The hosts will hope to finish business in front of their home fans.

Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon Preview

Espanyol returned from Gijon with maximum points after beating home side Sporting Gijon 1-0 in the first leg. The Barcelona-based team squandered many opportunities to claim a more comfortable scoreline. However, head coach Manolo González says he is expecting a better outcome in the reverse fixture at home.

Periquitos were relegated from La Liga last season after finishing 19th out of 20 teams. They are eying a quick return to the top flight but have two more ties to win – against Gijon and the final. Espanyol are unbeaten at home in their last 10 outings, and will enter this clash on the back of a 17-game undefeated streak.

Sporting Gijon will have to deploy a better strategy to be able to overturn the lone-goal deficit at Stage Front Stadium. They played more or less like a visiting team in the first leg. It would be a risky strategy to rely on in the second leg. Espanyol are expected to be fiercer at home in a bid to seal the tie with a win.

Rojiblancos finished fifth with 64 points just behind Espanyol (69 points) in the regular season. They have spent the last seven seasons in the Segunda División, with their last top-flight adventure dating back to 2016-17. The visitors have been defeated thrice in their last five trips in all competitions.

---

Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• Espanyol have won twice, drawn twice and lost once in their last five matches against Sporting Gijon.
• Espanyol have won thrice and drawn twice in their last five matches at home in all competitions.
• Espanyol have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five home matches against Gijon.
• Gijon have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five matches on the road.
• Espanyol have won thrice and drawn twice in their last five matches while Gijon have won thrice and lost twice. Form Guide: Espanyol – W-W-D-W-D, Gijon – L-W-W-L-W.

---

Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon Prediction

Former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite was a top performer for Espanyol in the regular season, emerging as top scorer with 22 goals. He is yet to translate that form in the playoffs.

Gijon could face the dilemma of deploying a defensive approach or full force attack pattern. Parking the bus could bring more problem. Pouring men forward could leave holes behind.

Espanyol are the favorites based on form and home advantage.

Prediction: Espanyol 3-1 Sporting Gijon

---

Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Espanyol to win

Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes

Tip 3: Espanyol to score first – Yes

Tip 4: Sporting Gijon to score - Yes