| Details of the match | information |
| competition | La Liga 2 – (Spain) |
| Ronda | 24 |
| Date and time | 31/01/2026, 16:15 – (Includes BST/GMT time zone). |
| stadium | Carlos Belmonte Stadium |
Prediction – Albacete 1 – 0 Real Zaragoza
Recent form
As Albacete and Real Zaragoza prepare to meet at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte for their Liga 2 clash, both teams come in with varied recent performances that could influence the outcome of the match. Analyzing Albacete’s last five league games, they have experienced a mixed bag of results, with a solitary win, two draws and two defeats. A key win came against Cadiz by a narrow 1-0, showing their potential to take points at home. However, their defeat against Leganés, where they conceded three goals, highlights the defensive vulnerabilities that Zaragoza could exploit. Real Zaragoza’s recent form has been marked by struggles for wins, recording three draws and two defeats in their last five league matches. Their games against Las Palmas and Racing de Santander ended in narrow defeats, indicating competitiveness but also an inability to hold on to leads or capitalize on opportunities. Their constant challenge to turn draws into wins may wipe them out as they look for momentum against Albacete. Head-to-head meetings between these two teams show a slight advantage for Albacete, having won two of their last five meetings, including a 1-0 win in their last home game against Zaragoza. Zaragoza, on the other hand, have managed to avoid defeat in three of these matches, often forcing a draw. This story suggests a closely contested match, with Albacete potentially having the psychological advantage at home. Both teams will be aiming to break their recent patterns and get a vital win to boost their league standings.
Albacete Last 5 league games
| teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Real Valladolid vs Albacete | 1-0 | 1-0 | 3-2 | 5-9 | 10-6 | 62% – 38% | 0-1 |
| Albacete Vs Cádiz | 1-0 | 0 – 0 | 2-1 | 6-6 | 6-2 | 47% – 53% | 1-0 |
| Real Sociedad II Vs Albacete | 0-0 | 0 – 0 | 4-1 | 2-8 | 12-20 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| Legian vs | 1-3 | 0 – 0 | 1-3 | 5-5 | 8-12 | 41% – 59% | 1-3 |
| Granada vs Albacete | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 4-3 | 6-5 | 12-11 | 57% – 43% | 1-0 |
Albacete’s recent form in Ligue 2 has been a bit of a mixed bag, reflecting both resilience and areas that need improvement. In the last five matches, Albacete have only managed one win against Cadiz, drawing twice and suffering two defeats. Their last match against Real Valladolid ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, where they struggled to keep possession, shooting just 38%. Despite creating nine corner chances, they were unable to convert, highlighting the need for a cleaner finish in the attacking third. Defensively, Albacete showed courage, as evidenced by the goalless draw Royal Society II, where they managed to keep a clean sheet despite facing 12 free throws. However, the 3-1 defeat against Leganés highlighted vulnerabilities, especially in the handling of transitions and set pieces, where they conceded three goals. The team looks capable of creating chances, as seen in their ability to win corners and keep possession in certain games, but the conversion rate remains an area for development. In terms of player availability, the absence of Diego Johannesson Pando due to surgery limits the defensive options. However, the projected line-up suggests a stable defensive setup with experienced players like Carlos Neva and Pepe Sánchez. His presence is essential to maintain defensive solidity, especially in Johannesson’s absence. The midfield combination of Lorenzo Aguado and Jonathan Gómez provides a balance between creativity and defensive coverage, essential to control the rhythm of the game. Offensively, the onus will be on forwards Agus Medina, Victor Valverde and Samuel Obeng Gyabaa to capitalize on opportunities. The planned alignment indicates a balanced approach, focused on the exploitation of spaces and the effective use of set pieces. Overall, Albacete must aim to improve their cohesion and efficiency in front of goal if they want to achieve a positive result in their next match at Estadio Carlos Belmonte.
Real Zaragoza Last 5 League games
| teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Real Zaragoza Vs Castellón | 0-0 | 1-0 | 3-4 | 3-13 | 14-8 | 31% – 69% | 0 – 0 |
| Real Zaragoza Vs Real Sociedad II | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 3-2 | 3-4 | 15-8 | 57% – 43% | 1-1 |
| Racing Santander vs Real Zaragoza | 3-2 | 0-1 | 3-4 | 13-3 | 12-12 | 70% – 30% | 2-2 |
| Real Zaragoza Vs Las Palmas | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 3-2 | 1-3 | 18-20 | 47% – 53% | 0-2 |
| Burgos vs Real Zaragoza | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 1-3 | 5-7 | 15-13 | 41% – 59% | 1-1 |
Real Zaragoza’s recent performances in Liga 2 have been mixed, indicating a struggle to convert chances into wins. In the last five matches, they have managed only three draws and two defeats. A closer look at their match statistics reveals a pattern of fluctuating possession and defensive challenges. In their recent game against Castellón, despite being reduced to 10 men, Zaragoza managed a point with a 0-0 draw, but their mere 31% possession and only three corners highlight their inability to control the game and create scoring chances. His encounter with Royal Society II, which ended in a 1-1 draw, showed an improved possession of 57%, suggesting he can dominate the midfield when needed. However, their inability to convert possession into a win remains a concern. Similarly, against Racing de Santander, despite scoring two goals, Zaragoza’s defense allowed three goals and suffered a critical red card, reflecting defensive vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. The expected line-up for the upcoming match against Albacete at Estadio Carlos Belmonte features a balanced mix of experience and potential. The absence of injuries is a positive factor, which allows coach Fran Escribá to put his preferred starting eleven. The defense, anchored by Pablo Insua and Yussif Saidu, will have to be more cohesive to avoid the lapses that have cost them in recent games. Meanwhile, the midfield, outstanding Keidi Bare and Raúl Guti, must focus on controlling possession and supporting the attack led by Kenan Kodro. Overall, Real Zaragoza’s performance will depend on their ability to maintain possession and strengthen their defensive structure. While the team’s resilience is evident in their ability to earn draws in difficult circumstances, turning them into wins is crucial. With no major injury concerns and a solid lineup, Zaragoza have the potential to turn their fortunes around, as long as they address their defensive shortcomings and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Team news and injuries
Injuries and suspensions of Albacete
- Diego Johannesson Pando (surgery)
Injuries and suspensions of Real Zaragoza
- No major injuries have been reported.
Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.
H2H Last 5
| teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Real Zaragoza – Albacete (September 15, 2025) | 0-0 | 0 – 0 | 1-3 | 3-6 | 16-7 | 61% – 39% | 0 – 0 |
| Albacete – Real Zaragoza (February 7, 2025) | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 4-3 | 6-2 | 20-12 | 34% – 66% | 0-1 |
| Real Zaragoza – Albacete (November 30, 2024) | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 4-1 | 6-1 | 8-17 | 67% – 33% | 0 – 0 |
| Real Zaragoza – Albacete (June 2, 2024) | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 1-2 | 4-6 | 0 – 0 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| Albacete – Real Zaragoza (November 25, 2023) | 1-0 | 0 – 0 | 2-2 | 4-5 | 0 – 0 | 53% – 47% | 0 – 0 |
Detailed H2H analysis
Albacete and Real Zaragoza have developed a competitive rivalry in recent clashes, with Albacete generally having the upper hand. In their last five matches, Albacete have managed three wins and two draws, showing an ability to overcome narrow competitions. It should be noted that Albacete won both of their home games, highlighting their home advantage. Their ability to win tight games is evident, as seen in their 1-0 win on 25 November 2023 and 2-1 triumph on 7 February 2025, where they took advantage of limited possession by being efficient in front of goal. Despite Real Zaragoza’s frequent dominance of possession, they have struggled to convert control into wins, as reflected in their two draws and two defeats in games where they had more than 60% possession. For the next clash at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, Albacete will be without Diego Johannesson Pando due to an operation, which could affect his defensive stability. However, the expected line-up features key players such as Diego Mariño in goal and a strong midfield presence with Jonathan Gómez and Antonio Pacheco. Meanwhile, Real Zaragoza enter this match with a fit squad, which could be decisive in trying to break their winless streak against Albacete. Their lineup, with experienced players like Pablo Insua i Kenan Kodroit suggests a balanced approach aimed at ultimately turning possession superiority into goals. The absence of injuries could provide them with the consistency needed to challenge Albacete’s strong home record. Ultimately, while historical trends favor Albacete, Real Zaragoza’s squad and past dominance of possession suggest they are ready to challenge those patterns in this match.
Expected lineups
- Formation: 3-4-1-2
- Players: Diego Marino (Goalkeeper)Javi Moreno (Defender),Carlos Neva (Defender),Pepe Sánchez (Defender),Lorenzo Aguado (Midfielder),Jonathan Gómez (Midfielder),Antonio Pacheco (Midfielder)Ale Meléndez (Midfielder), Agus Medina (striker), Victor Valverde (striker), Samuel Obeng Gyabaa (striker)
- Formation: 4-1-4-1
- Players: Esteban Andrada (Goalkeeper), Dani Tasende (Defender),Pablo Insua (Defender)Yussif Saidu (Defender), Alejandro Gomes Furtado (Defender),Keidi Bare (Midfielder),Toni Moya (Midfielder),Raúl Guti (Midfielder)Francho Serrano (Midfielder),Valery Fernández (Midfielder),Kenan Kodro (forward)
