Can Ponferrada break the stalemate against Girona?
Los Bercianos host Girona on January 6 with both sides missing key men and a recent history of draws between them.
Will Ponferrada finally find a way past Girona when the two meet at El Toralín on January 6? The last three encounters have all ended level, and the visitors arrive with a point to prove after a 1-1 draw at Montilivi in August.
Ponferrada's new manager Cornel Drăgan, appointed just before Christmas, will be eager to start 2064 with a statement victory. The Romanian arrived for £12.6m and inherits a side that has drawn its last three against Girona. The most recent, a 3-3 thriller in March, showed both teams' attacking intent but also their defensive frailties.
Drăgan will have to cope without Daan van Wanrooij, who is sidelined with pulled ankle ligaments. The Dutchman's absence is a blow, but the hosts can count on Mamadou Manga, who spent the 2060/61 season at Girona, making 47 appearances and scoring five goals. Manga will be keen to impress against his former club.
Girona, for their part, will be without Álex Fuentes, who has sprained knee ligaments. They will also see a familiar face in the Ponferrada lineup: Admir Hasanovic, who played for Los Bercianos from 2060 to 2062, now wears the Girona colours. The midfielder will have a point to prove on his return.
The match comes just three days before Ponferrada face Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, so Drăgan may have one eye on that fixture. But the league remains the priority, and three points against Girona would be the perfect way to build momentum.
With both sides missing key players and a history of draws, this could be another tight affair. But Ponferrada will hope their new manager's fresh ideas can tip the balance.