Real Madrid Castilla vs Gimnàstic de Tarragona match preview

Real Madrid Castilla host Gimnàstic de Tarragona at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium at noon local time on Sunday.

It’s the home side’s fourth game of the season and their second at home after routing San Fernando 4-0 in their first home match back at the Di Stefano earlier this month. In truth, that big win has been the sole highlight of Castilla’s season so far, having lost their opening match 2-1 to Linense and suffering another harsh defeat to UCAM Murica last weekend.

The mixed start to the season leaves Raul’s side in 12th place, four points off promotion contention and clear of relegation thanks to their superior goal difference. The hosts could throw themselves comfortably back into contention with a win over fifth place Gimnàstic, though it would require Sergio Arribas and company to breach a so far unbeatable defense. To complex matters further, Raul will have to work around missing some key figures in his team on Sunday. Miguel Gutierrez’s performances, most recently against Celta, has earned him another call up for the away trip to Valencia alongside captain Antonio Blanco and first choice keeper Toni Fuidias.

In their places, one would expect to see Luis Lopez between the sticks and, unfortunately, Peter Federico deployed as a wing back as he has been in recent matches. Carlos Dotor, Ivan Morante and Sergio Arribas have been pretty settled selection for Raul early on and one would expect them to line out on Sunday. Up front, Oscar Aranda was impressive midweek against Inter Milan in the Youth League and should be joined by Latasa and Marvin Park.

Gimnàstic have played Castilla six times in the past, though this will be the first meeting between the duo in quite a long time. Their last match was all the way back in 2005-06 when Álvaro Negredo’s lone goal separated the sides. The game is scheduled to be shown on Real Madrid TV, however, veterans of season’s past know that can be quite an empty promise. Viewers in Europe with a Footters subscription will be able to watch the game live and on demand on the Footters website.