It is best to take things one step at a time. For Real Zaragoza to go to bed top of the table, Villarreal B must not beat Atlético Madrileño this Friday, two hours earlier. That is the fixture that opens the round in Primera RFEF.
The second time slot belongs to Real Zaragoza. Can Misses will host a clash between two squads expected to challenge near the top. Neither has anything in common with the teams at the bottom of the standings. This is not like the Segunda División, where the competition is highly even. Here, there is a gulf.
Ibai Gómez in an archive photo with Real Zaragoza. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
This allows Real Zaragoza to field a reliable starting XI despite making changes. There will be changes at Can Misses, where the Blanquillos are opting for a lineup in which physical fitness will be decisive. In that regard, and in order to contain the Balearic side, the inclusion of a traditional striker has not been ruled out, with Joaquín Delgado the likeliest option.
Throughout the week, Real Zaragoza coach Ibai Gómez worked on this option. During the period when the session was open to the press, Edu Espiau was seen in that role, but in principle, he would not be the player to start there. In addition, given the coach's expectation of a physical contest, Saidu could also feature in the lineup.
THE DOOR TO TOP SPOT
Real Zaragoza are knocking on the door of top spot. They would open it with a win, adding the sweet taste of victory. The Blanquillos currently have nine points from four matches, more than two per game, which would guarantee them a place at the top of the standings.
More important than whether they go to bed top of the table would be the points tally. A win would give Real Zaragoza 12 points from the 15 available. It would confirm the winning trend of a Blanquillos side that, after four rounds, is gaining the confidence to position itself for promotion as group champions.
The fifth test comes against Ibiza, a team with a squad of a certain standard for the third tier. José Carlos Lazo, Erik Curbelo, Manu Justo... are important players. It is in this setting that Real Zaragoza need to win again and, subject to the result of the earlier match, reach top spot.
