Numancia vs Sporting Gijon Predictions and Match Preview

Aron Wright - September 11, 2018

Numancia vs Sporting Gijon
Spain – Copa del Rey
Date: Thursday, 13 September 2018
Kick-Off at 19:00 UK / 20:00 CET
Venue: Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, Soria.

Numancia begin their Copa del Rey quest on Thursday evening when they host Segunda Division rivals Sporting Gijon at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos. Rojillos, who were stopped by Real Madrid in the last 16 round last term, come into the game with an improved confidence after clinching their first league win in fourth round.

They saw off Elche 1-0 on Sunday evening thanks to a penalty-kick goal from Guillermo Fernandez. The head coach Lopez Garai was finally happy to see his men keeping things tight at the back there after Numancia shipped as many as seven goals in three opening ties (two draws and a loss). Can the hosts build on the league success to jump over the first hurdle in the cup?

They’ll be up against a very tough to break down Sporting Gijon side which promises a tight affair, similar to the one they had against Elche at the weekend.

Numancia vs Sporting Gijon: Head-to-head

• Sporting Gijon lead the head to head tie by two wins coming into the 28th encounter with Numancia.
• However, Rojillos were much more successful in clashes at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos where they won 7, drew 3 and lost 3 of 13 meetings with Gijon.
• The Copa del Rey draw has put these two sides together in the third round last year.
• Numancia advanced on penalties after the regular time saw a 1-1 draw.

Numancia vs Sporting Gijon: Prediction

Gijon conceded just two goals in four Segunda Division games so far. They do not have a man with two or more goals in the season yet, but the defensive line is what the boss Ruben Baraja will rely on when they take on Rojillos.

Sporting, however, generally find it hard to get results on travels where they scored just one goal in two outings so far in the season. They won just 6 and lost as many as 10 of 21 away games in the previous term of Segunda in spite of finishing the regular season as the fifth-placed team.

As mentioned above, we expect a very tight contest to be decided by one or even none goals. Under 2.5 goals FT is the safest of bets, while braver tipsters can shoot for the full-time draw.

Numancia vs Sporting Gijon: Bet Tips

• Under 2.5 goals FT @ 4/7 (1.57)

• Draw @ 21/10 (3.10).