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One other season of what’s a notoriously tight league is underway with Espanyol, Actual Valladolid and Elche focusing on an instantaneous return to the highest flight. The likes of Actual Zaragoza and Levante are anticipated to supply fierce competitors whereas new boys Eldense, Alcorcon, Amorebieta and Racing Ferrol are hoping to make an impression. Learn on for our full 2023/24 Spanish Segunda División season preview.
Be aware that this preview was printed after the tip of the switch window so options all the important thing summer season signings with title odds, coaches, squad valuations (through Transfermarkt) correct as of Tuesday fifth September 2023.
Fantasy soccer stars are through Sorare’s superior scoring matrix. They run each paid and free-to-play weekly competitions that includes all of the golf equipment in a league that will likely be often known as LALIGA HYPERMOTION this yr. Join right here to play.
On the time of writing, 4 matchdays have been performed so we’ve already received an preliminary really feel for every workforce. Hold tabs on our weekly Segunda División predictions for extra on Spain’s second tier.
2023/24 Segunda División Season Preview
Albacete
- Final Season: sixth
- Coach: Ruben Albes
- Squad Valuation: €15.3m
- Title Odds: 15/1
- Notable Signings: Dani Escriche, Samuel Shashoua, Jonathan Silva
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Manu Fuster
Albacete impressed on the again of an instantaneous return to the second tier, with Ruben Albes’ aspect impressively securing a play-off place final time period. They had been one of the crucial entertaining groups in a fairly defensive division, registering a league excessive 58 targets final time period, however couldn’t construct on the momentum of a robust finish to the marketing campaign, taking place 6-1 on combination to Levante within the play-offs.
Albes stays on the helm however the membership have misplaced key winger Jonathan Dubasin who was straight concerned in 15 targets final season, whereas Maikel Mesa is one other vital departure. These losses undoubtedly weaken the workforce however we are able to nonetheless count on them to be one of the crucial constructive groups within the league and so they should be knocking on the door of the play-offs once more.
Verdict: seventh
Alcorcón
- Final Season: 2nd (Primera Federacion, Group 1)
- Coach: Fran Fernandez
- Squad Valuation: €8.85m
- Title Odds: 80/1
- Notable Signings: Dyego Sousa, Xavi Quintilla, Yan Eteki
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Jesus Ruiz
Madrid minnows Alcorcon return to the Segunda Division the place they spent 12 straight years between 2010 and 2022. Led by Fran Fernandez, they impressively bounced again on the first try through the Primera Federacion play-offs, however regardless of firmly establishing themselves at this degree within the 2010’s and ceaselessly punching effectively above their weight, Alcorcon could discover repeating that trick is kind of a problem.
They begin the season as one of many favourites for the drop and with what appears like a very previous workforce with 35 yr previous Pedro Mosquera and 36 yr olds David Morillas and Jean-Sylvain Babin all beginning every of their opening 4 video games. A relegation battle appears to be like probably.
Verdict: twenty second
Amorebieta
- Final Season: 1st (Primera Federacion, Group 2)
- Coach: Haritz Mujika
- Squad Valuation: €9.75m
- Title Odds: 80/1
- Notable Signings: Jon Morcillo, Alex Carbonell, Cosimo da Graça
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Kwasi Sibo
Amorebieta had been relegated with Alcorcon in 2022, but additionally managed to safe an instantaneous return as champions of their part of the Primera Federacion. Because of this, they’re now within the second tier of Spain’s soccer ladder for less than the second time of their historical past and whereas they’ll be one of many favourites for the drop, the early indicators have been comparatively constructive for the Basque membership’s possibilities of competing.
They’ve recruited fairly aggressively this summer season, with 13 gamers arriving both on mortgage or on free transfers. The standout addition is probably Jon Morcillo who joins from neighbours Athletic Membership on a short lived deal whereas Barcelona academy product Alex Carbonell appears to be like set to have an necessary function in midfield after transferring on a free switch.
Verdict: nineteenth
Andorra
- Final Season: seventh
- Coach: Eder Sarabia
- Squad Valuation: €18.75m
- Title Odds: 20/1
- Notable Signings: Alex Calvo, Jose Marsa, Julen Lobete, Anderson Arroyo
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Diego Pampin
Owned by Gerard Pique’s Kosmos group, FC Andorra made a really spectacular debut in Spain’s second tier final time period, ending seventh with a possession based mostly model of soccer yielding principally constructive outcomes underneath coach Eder Sarabia. Some key gamers have since departed although with spectacular younger centre-back Mika Marmol transferring to prime flight new boys Las Palmas whereas Marc Aguado returns to dad or mum membership Zaragoza after a superb yr on mortgage within the principality.
The philosophy received’t change an excessive amount of this time period however the personnel definitely has. Andorra have once more largely focused younger gamers with teenager Alex Calvo a €1m arrival from lately relegated Malaga whereas Anderson Arroyo and Julen Lobete are vital mortgage additions. When the brand new arrivals settle, they need to have sufficient high quality to not less than discover a secure place in the course of the desk.
Verdict: eleventh
Burgos
- Final Season: eleventh
- Coach: Bolo
- Squad Valuation: €15m
- Title Odds: 80/1
- Notable Signings: Fer Niño, Dani Ojeda, Esteban Saveljich
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Jose Caro
Burgos made headlines by beginning final season with a outstanding 10 straight clear sheets, together with a run that noticed them concerned in six 0-0 attracts within the house of seven video games. Whereas they weren’t profitable any awards for leisure, Julian Calero’s aspect emerged as unlikely play-off candidates earlier than in the end slumping to a nonetheless respectable eleventh place end.
It’s all change this summer season although with former Ponferradina and Actual Oviedo boss Bolo taking on. He has returned to former membership Ponfe for the signings of two gamers with Dani Ojeda and Edu Espiau arriving to probably add a bit extra firepower with solely backside membership Lugo scoring fewer targets than Burgos final time period.
Verdict: fifteenth
Cartagena
- Final Season: ninth
- Coach: Victor Sanchez
- Squad Valuation: €15.15m
- Title Odds: 40/1
- Notable Signings: Luis Muñoz, Juan Carlos Actual, Tomas Alarcon, Hector Hevel
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Kiko Olivas
Cartagena are actually very a lot a longtime membership at this degree with this their fourth straight Segunda Division marketing campaign. This can be a metropolis that will dearly like to host prime flight soccer for the primary time and it’s a big sufficient one to make {that a} reasonable risk at some stage, though they might wrestle to enhance on back-to-back ninth place finishes.
The membership made an fascinating transfer this summer season by appointing Victor Sanchez as their new coach. The 47 yr previous had been out of labor for greater than three years following his dismissal by Malaga in early 2020 for non-footballing causes. He’ll be determined to kickstart his teaching profession at Cartagonova and takes cost of a a lot modified squad following a reasonably intensive summer season rebuild which makes Cartagena one thing of an unknown amount this time period.
Verdict: sixteenth
Eibar
- Final Season: fifth
- Coach: Joseba Etxeberria
- Squad Valuation: €32.75m
- Title Odds: 20/1
- Notable Signings: Cristian Gutierrez, Unai Vencedor, Konrad de la Fuente
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Alvaro Tejero
Eibar have narrowly missed out on automated promotion in every of the final two seasons earlier than falling on the first hurdle within the play-offs and so they’re now on the level the place it begins to turn out to be harder for current prime flight prime golf equipment to bounce again. Regardless of that, this tiny Basque membership nonetheless has one of the crucial invaluable squads within the league and so they begin the marketing campaign as a transparent promotion candidate as soon as extra.
They achieve this underneath new administration with Athletic Membership legend Joseba Etxeberria transferring to Ipurua after a season with Mirandes. Unai Vencedor is an attention grabbing addition on mortgage from Athletic with the 22 yr previous midfielder having fallen curiously out of favour underneath Ernesto Valverde. Total although, this is among the extra settled squads within the league which suggests they need to be within the play-off image once more.
Verdict: 4th
Elche
- Final Season: twentieth (LaLiga)
- Coach: Sebastian Beccacece
- Squad Valuation: €37.3m
- Title Odds: 14/1
- Notable Signings: Oscar Plano, Nicolas Castro, Sergio Leon
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Edgar Badia
Elche drop down into the second tier after a disastrous season within the prime flight the place their destiny was successfully sealed by the halfway level. The Valencian membership parted methods with three coaches throughout a depressing autumn and winter earlier than in the end selecting Sebastian Beccacece who guided the membership to some late season wins and a slightly extra respectable ultimate factors tally of 25.
The intense work begins now although for the Argentine who inherited a misplaced trigger final season. He hasn’t been helped by some notable summer season departures with Lucas Boye, Pere Milla, Omar Mascarell and Gerard Gumbau amongst these to search out new employers. Genk’s 22 yr previous attacking midfielder Nicolas Castro is probably essentially the most thrilling new addition on mortgage.
Verdict: fifth
Eldense
- Final Season: 2nd (Primera Federacion, Group 2)
- Coach: Fernando Estevez
- Squad Valuation: €11.7m
- Title Odds: 40/1
- Notable Signings: Eddie Salcedo, Florin Andone, David Timor
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Sergio Ortu
Based mostly within the Valencian area of Spain, Eldense are again in Spain’s second tier for the primary time in 60 years after securing back-to-back promotions. It’s a improbable story and no matter occurs it is going to be a memorable marketing campaign on the 4,000 capability Nuevo Pepico Amat.
The early indicators counsel Fernando Estevez’s males may simply be able to competing at this degree too. For a newly promoted workforce, they’ve been surprisingly daring within the switch market, doing enterprise with the likes of Inter Milan in addition to various golf equipment in Spain’s prime two tiers. They’ve thrust a bunch of latest signings straight into the workforce and look decided to ensure they do extra than simply make up the numbers on their long-awaited return to this degree.
Verdict: 18th
Espanyol
- Final Season: nineteenth (LaLiga)
- Coach: Luis Garcia
- Squad Valuation: €61.1m
- Title Odds: 2/1
- Notable Signings: Pere Milla, Salvi Sanchez, Keita Balde
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Fernando Pacheco
Espanyol drop down into the second tier once more, having additionally suffered relegation from LaLiga in 2020. They bounced again as champions on that event, cruising to promotion in a season that was performed fully behind closed doorways on the RCDE Stadium, however defensive frailties from begin to end contributed to relegation once more final time period.
They’re maybe not fairly as sturdy as they had been in 2020/21 after they may name on the appreciable skills of Sergi Darder and Raul De Tomas amongst others, however on paper that is nonetheless the strongest squad within the division. Espanyol’s frontline of Pere Milla, Martin Braithwaite and Javi Puado is stronger than that of some prime flight golf equipment whereas teenager Nico Melamed may very well be set for an actual breakthrough marketing campaign in midfield in opposition to weaker opponents. The strain will likely be on coach Luis Garcia to ship an instantaneous return to the Primera.
Verdict: 1st
Huesca
- Final Season: fifteenth
- Coach: Jose Angel Ziganda
- Squad Valuation: €17.35m
- Title Odds: 66/1
- Notable Signings: Kento Hashimoto, Javi Martinez, Samuel Obeng
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Miguel Loureiro
Huesca have bucked the current development that has invariably seen relegated prime flight groups compete for promotion after dropping into the second tier. After relegation in 2021, thirteenth and fifteenth place finishes have been disappointing however they’ve saved religion with boss Cuco Ziganda who was in control of the membership final time period.
They’ve been very lively this summer season with plenty of in’s and out’s. Maybe the most important change is in purpose with reliable veteran keeper Andres Fernandez a shocking departure after not lacking a minute of the membership’s video games final time period. His alternative is Alvaro Fernandez who returns to El Alcoraz after underwhelming mortgage spells at Brentford and Espanyol. 9 of their eleven summer season signings are aged 26 or underneath with a bunch 30-somethings departing with one thing of a generational shift going down over the previous couple of months on the Aragonese membership.
Verdict: twentieth
Leganés
- Final Season: 14th
- Coach: Borja Jimenez
- Squad Valuation: €17.8m
- Title Odds: 14/1
- Notable Signings: Miguel de la Fuente, Jorge Saenz, Yvan Neyou
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Iker Undabarrena
Leganes are one other current prime flight outfit that now really feel very a lot a part of the furnishings within the second tier. Their first season underneath the possession of Mexican American businessman Jeff Luhnow was a shaky one with coach Imanol Idiakez sacked in April and interim boss Carlos Martinez guiding them to a 14th place end.
There’s a new man within the dugout at Butarque this time period with 38 yr previous Borja Jimenez making a vivid begin to his reign. That’s regardless of some notable summer season departures together with Jose Arnaiz and Juan Muñoz, the South Madrid membership’s two highest scorers final season. Mortgage signing Miguel de la Fuente is probably the person almost certainly to fill that void, though he was removed from prolific final time period at Alaves.
Verdict: 14th
Levante
- Final Season: third
- Coach: Javi Calleja
- Squad Valuation: €22.05m
- Title Odds: 7/1
- Notable Signings: Ander Capa, Angel Algobia, Oscar Clemente, Andres Fernandez
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Jose Femenias
Levante can be taking part in prime flight soccer proper now, had been it not for a 129th minute penalty from Asier Villalibre within the Play-Off Ultimate 2nd Leg in June. It was the type of late heartbreak that takes some getting over, nevertheless it additionally had very actual short-term implications for the membership’s funds with the Valencia membership pressured to promote a bunch of key gamers this summer season, elevating greater than €20m because of the departures of Pepelu, Jorge De Frutos, Marc Pubill, Dani Cardenas and Marcelo Saracchi.
Pepelu’s exit to metropolis rivals Valencia was notably robust on the followers with the 25-year previous an academy graduate who signed a brand new ten yr deal solely final summer season. Nevertheless, regardless of the necessity to steadiness the books, Levante have managed to make some good additions on free transfers and so they nonetheless have one of many strongest squads within the league, in addition to a superb coach in Javi Calleja who has misplaced simply 3 of his 35 common season matches since taking on final October.
Verdict: third
Mirandés
- Final Season: sixteenth
- Coach: Alessio Lisci
- Squad Valuation: €10.4m
- Title Odds: 66/1
- Notable Signings: Miguel Baeza, Luis Lopez, Diego Moreno, Carlos Martin
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Alvaro Sanz
Mirandes are one in all six Segunda Division golf equipment to have made teaching adjustments this summer season, with Joseba Etxeberria departing on the finish of his contract to take cost of Eibar and former Levante boss Alessio Lisci taking on. The Italian’s appointment continues the membership’s philosophy of appointing younger coaches with the 37 yr previous taking cost after a yr out of labor following his final function on the Ciutat de Valencia.
He’ll be hampered by one of many league’s lowest budgets, however Mirandes are sometimes a workforce that tries to play attacking soccer and Lisci ought to be a superb match for that. With ten mortgage contracts ending in the summertime, together with that of 19-goal striker Raul Garcia, mixed with a bunch of different departures that is nearly a model new squad and it’s an extremely younger one with 25 yr previous Alberto Reina the oldest participant to characteristic for Mirandes up to now this season!
Verdict: seventeenth
Racing Ferrol
- Final Season: 1st (Primera Federacion, Group 1)
- Coach: Cristobal Parralo
- Squad Valuation: €9.4m
- Title Odds: 20/1
- Notable Signings: Ander Cantero, Alvaro Vadillo, Sabin Merino, Iker Losada
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Ander Cantero
Racing Ferrol return to the Segunda Division after 15 years spent hovering between the third and fourth tiers. They received their group within the Primera Federacion which additionally featured their Galician neighbours Deportivo La Coruña and an unbeaten begin has raised expectation ranges at A Malata.
Coached by former Depor boss Cristobal Parralo, Racing Ferrol have been busy this summer season with 13 new signings with a concentrate on gamers with expertise of taking part in on this league. There aren’t many large names amongst the solid of latest arrivals however the common consensus appears to be that they will be the strongest of the newly promoted groups, definitely from a defensive perspective with former Eibar keeper Ander Cantero offering a strong base.
Verdict: twelfth
Racing Santander
- Final Season: twelfth
- Coach: Jose Alberto Lopez
- Squad Valuation: €12.6m
- Title Odds: 25/1
- Notable Signings: Andres Martin, Lago Junior, Clement Grenier
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Iñigo Vicente
It’s back-to-back seasons in Spain’s prime two tiers for the primary time in a decade for Racing Santander which in itself represents progress after a creditable twelfth place end final time period. One other strong marketing campaign free from any relegation drama would be the major purpose once more for a aspect that improved final season following the December appointment of Jose Alberto.
The 41 yr previous stays on the helm and it’s one of many extra settled groups within the league with little or no in the best way of main departures. They’ve added to their squad the everlasting additions of Clement Grenier and Lago Junior whereas Andres Martin, Ekain Zenitagoia and Juan Carlos Arana arrive as new ahead choices as Racing try to enhance on a poor tally of 39 targets final time period.
Verdict: ninth
Actual Oviedo
- Final Season: eighth
- Coach: Alvaro Cervera
- Squad Valuation: €29.8m
- Title Odds: 40/1
- Notable Signings: Jaime Seoane, Leo Roman, Santiago Colombatto, Santi Cazorla
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Victor Camarasa
Eight years have now handed since Actual Oviedo emerged from the previous Segunda B, a giant step on the Asturian membership’s deliberate highway again to the large time. They’ve completed between seventh and ninth on six events since returning to the Segunda Division however have at all times fallen simply brief off the play-offs as was the case once more final time period.
A sluggish begin to the 2023/24 marketing campaign suggests they might wrestle to threaten the highest six once more this time round. Alvaro Cervera stays on the helm and Oviedo have satisfied Santi Cazorla to return to the membership in one of the crucial romantic switch tales this summer season. Nevertheless at 38, it’s questionable how a lot influence Cazorla could have in a workforce that noticed over half of their league fixtures final time period find yourself with both 0-0 or 1-0 scorelines.
Verdict: eighth
Actual Valladolid
- Final Season: 18th (LaLiga)
- Coach: Paulo Pezzolano
- Squad Valuation: €33.5m
- Title Odds: 10/1
- Notable Signings: Marcos Andre, Cesar de la Hoz, Raul Moro, Gustavo Henrique
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Monchu
Actual Valladolid suffered heartbreak on the ultimate day of LaLiga 2022/23 as they dropped down into the second tier after a irritating goalless draw in opposition to Getafe. The membership owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo had determined to sack Pacheta in favour of former Cruzeiro boss Paulo Pezzolano in April and regardless of some encouraging early performances, the Uruguayan couldn’t preserve the membership up and is now underneath strain to guide the push for an instantaneous return.
That job has been made more durable by the departures of the likes of Cyle Larin, Gonzalo Plata and Ivan Fresneda. Greater than €35m has been recouped in participant gross sales this summer season however solely a tiny fraction of that has been reinvested within the squad, with 5 new mortgage signings plugging gaps within the squad. Actual Valladolid have the texture of a workforce that may be very a lot in transition, however Pezzolano wants outcomes and quick if he’s going to remain the course and lead a real promotion push.
Verdict: sixth
Actual Zaragoza
- Final Season: thirteenth
- Coach: Fran Escriba
- Squad Valuation: €30.65m
- Title Odds: 8/1
- Notable Signings: Maikel Mesa, Toni Moya, Sinan Bakis
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Marc Aguado
After a decade within the second tier, Actual Zaragoza’s longest ever stint exterior the highest flight, optimism is quickly rising that this may increasingly lastly be the yr for Los Blanquillos. With Fran Escriba on the helm, opposition groups are discovering it very onerous to create probabilities in opposition to this Zaragoza aspect and after a superb summer season switch window, they give the impression of being significantly better throughout the pitch.
Zaragoza have two midfielders who impressed in final season’s Segunda Division now of their ranks with Maikel Mesa becoming a member of from Albacete whereas Marc Aguado has returned from a profitable mortgage spell with Andorra. They’ve additionally tried so as to add extra firepower with Sergi Enrich and Sinan Bakis arriving on free transfers to bolster their purpose menace up entrance. It’s nonetheless very early days however having began the marketing campaign with 4 straight wins and no targets conceded, they appear to be they may very well be critical promotion contenders this time period.
Verdict: 2nd
Sporting Gijón
- Final Season: seventeenth
- Coach: Miguel Angel Ramirez
- Squad Valuation: €24.35m
- Title Odds: 20/1
- Notable Signings: Ruben Yanez, Roque Mesa, Rober Pier
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Cote
Sporting Gijon have been one of many league’s nice underachievers over the previous couple of years with back-to-back seventeenth place finishes. They’d by no means beforehand completed as low down the Spanish soccer pyramid, having appeared within the first ever Segunda Division season method again in 1929. Subsequently these are fairly darkish occasions for followers of the Asturian membership however is there any mild on the finish of the tunnel?
Outcomes haven’t taken an enormous flip for the higher since Miguel Angel Ramirez took over from Abelardo in January however they’ve added a bit extra expertise to the squad this summer season with the likes of Rober Pier, Ruben Yanez and Roque Mesa coming in. A lot could rely on whether or not striker Uros Djurdjevic can discover his greatest kind in entrance of purpose. He scored simply 5 occasions final time period, having managed 36 throughout the earlier two Segunda Division seasons.
Verdict: thirteenth
Tenerife
- Final Season: tenth
- Coach: Asier Garitano
- Squad Valuation: €18.35m
- Title Odds: 14/1
- Notable Signings: Roberto Lopez, Mo Dauda, Angel Rodriguez
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Waldo Rubio
Tenerife slipped again to mid-table obscurity final season after their brush with promotion in 2021/22 which produced a memorable Play-Off Semi-Ultimate win over Canarian rivals Las Palmas however ended by the hands of Girona within the Ultimate. They opted for recent course this summer season with Luis Miguel Ramis departing after greater than three years and Asier Garitano coming in.
The Basque coach arrives with one thing of a fame to rebuild given his current roles haven’t gone effectively with a return to Leganes in 2021 additionally ending in disappointing vogue. He takes over a squad that has been bolstered by seven free transfers whereas Roberto Lopez is an eye fixed catching addition on mortgage from Actual Sociedad.
Verdict: tenth
Villarreal B
- Final Season: 18th
- Coach: Miguel Alvarez
- Squad Valuation: €11.6m
- Title Odds: 150/1
- Notable Signings: Andres Ferrari, Fabio Blanco, Adria Alti
- Sorare Fantasy Star: Javi Ontiveros
B groups invariably wrestle within the Segunda Division however Villarreal largely bucked that development final season. They spent a lot of the marketing campaign in mid-table and whereas they did slide within the ultimate weeks to complete down in 18th, there was by no means any critical prospect of them taking place.
It won’t be fairly so easy this yr. Numerous the gamers who did effectively final season (however not effectively sufficient to earn promotion to the senior squad) have departed. Fer Niño has moved to Burgos whereas Sergio Lozano and Dela have each moved to Levante with three different gamers additionally discovering new Segunda Division golf equipment. The Villarreal academy is among the greatest in Spain, however even it might not churn out sufficient recent expertise to maintain them up this yr.
Verdict: twenty first
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