C.D. Leganés play their 16th league fixture this Sunday at 18:15 (CET) against opponents Real Oviedo at the Estadio Municipal Butarque. The Pepineros hope they can secure a second consecutive victory on home turf this time, with the fans at their back as they turn their gaze up the table.
With a small taste of victory, Leganés will not have anything else on their mind ahead of Sunday's encounter. The Blanquiazules won comfortably on the road against S.D. Huesca at El Alcoraz (0-2), giving them a chance to breathe and plan for the future, after a turbulent week that saw new manager Mehdi Nafti debut and take the reins for two games in four days. The Franco-Tunisian coach came away unbeaten with a draw and a win.
Now, with an clear week to train with the squad, Nafti approaches his third game in charge with no less desire to pivot Leganés' form than in his first two matches. Conveniently returning from injury are Quintillà, Avilés and Sabin Merino, though international duty beckons Omeruo and Shibasaki, while Doukouré, Bárcenas and Bautista remain unavailable.
Real Oviedo, also gazing up the table
For visiting Real Oviedo, a win would equally put them in good stead for their table ambitions. Hovering in 10th, 5 points from play-off qualification, a win at the Butarque would help halt their slide from the top spots after only salvaging a point from their last two encounters: S.D. Eibar (1-0) and U.D. Las Palmas (1-1).
The Carbayones, the team with the second highest number of draws in the division at eight, do not shy away on the road, having won both at Huesca (1-2) and Ponferrada (1-2), as well as boasting only three losses in the league this season. Ex Pepinero Borja Bastón is to thank for Real Oviedo's attacking potential, as the division's second highest scorer with eight to his name. Manager José Ángel Ziganda will miss Slovakian international Jirka.
The fixture will be officiated by Galician referee, Sr. D. Javier Iglesias Villanueva.
