Atlético Sanluqueño v Real Madrid Castilla match preview

Real Madrid Castilla return to action on Sunday, travelling to eighth placed Atlético Sanluqueño with lots of ground to make up from their slow start to the season.

The soul sucking draw to Barcelona B has created a small gap between Castilla and Group 2’s top ten teams. Should they beat Sunday’s hosts, Raul’s team could climb back into the right side of the table. Another disappointing result will leave them at the mercy of other teams, including the relegation fodder below them.

The senior team are in Barcelona on Saturday, that could rule out the likes of Luis Lopez, Antonio Blanco and Miguel Gutierrez, whom are in the first team picture more and more as the season has progressed. Toni Fuidas is the obvious starter in Lopez’s absence while Marvin Park will likely replace Gutierrez. Blanco’s situation is a little more complicated. The Spanish midfielder has started to play more for the reserves since Ivan Morante picked up a meniscus injury injury in training at the start of the month. One might expect that trend to continue this weekend.

Should it not, Raul will likely select someone from the U-19s to cover the position. Nestor Lucas and Javi Villar have had some solid Youth League showing this season and would be in the running to cover Blanco if that’s the option Raul goes for. Another option is to change up his three man midfield to a five at the back formation, with two central midfielders which Castilla have sported in some of their earlier games.

Juan Latasa returned from injury with a substitute appearance in the mini-Clasico and, given the poor form Andri Gudjohnsen has shown in a Castilla jersey in recent matches, would be favored to start this Sunday as well.

These teams have never met before competitively. Based in Cadiz, Sanluqueño reached last season’s promotion’s groups from Group 4, but finished rock bottom. Before that, they’ve been a pretty steady third tier team since promotion from the fourth division in 2017-18. For a first meeting, its a pretty crucial one for Castilla. They played a near complete game against Barcelona last weekend so failing to win is bound to have taken a toll mentally. Responding with three points and few goals is exactly what the team needs right now, not managing it could really hurt this side on and off the pitch.

As usual, the game will be up on Footters for UK and European based viewers. As for the rest of you unfortunate souls, be sure to keep your eyes open for any streams.