From Relegation to Promotion?
Last season saw Leganes, Mallorca, and Espanyol relegated from La Liga to the Segunda División.
Espanyol finished bottom with 25 points. Mallorca finished the season in 19th place after finishing four points of safety and Leganes were relegated after finishing 18th and one point behind Celta Vigo who survived relegation in 17th place.
Clubs can struggle when they are relegated, as they try to find that winning feeling again after a season of negative results and a return to the division, they had just departed is not necessarily easy.
Though for the three relegated clubs, the 2020-21 season has been more promising.
Leganes
Leganes are in the lowest position of the relegated teams but still find themselves in fifth position with 34 points from 20 games so far this season. They have won 10 games so far this season, with their home form being particularly impressive with eight wins and two defeats in their 10 home games so far this season.
They have been defensively solid at home with only four goals conceded compared to the ten goals they have conceded away in the league this season. They have the third most cleans sheets in the league with ten clean sheets to their name. The key to that defensive record seems to be that Leganes manage to protect their goalkeeper well, as they have only allowed opposition sides 45 shots on target in the league, which is the lowest in the division.
Regarding the other end of the pitch Leganes have relied on players like Sabin Merino who has scored five goals and Borja Bastón and José Arnaiz who have scored four goals each.
Leganes seem to focus on being defensively solid and winning games by one or two goal margins, as they have only scored more than twice only once this season.
Mallorca
Mallorca are in second place and level on points with Espanyol in first. Mallorca obviously have an ambition to return to La Liga at the first time of asking.
Mallorca have only lost twice this season and are undefeated away from home in the league as they have won six and drawn four of their away games.
They have been effective defensively as they have conceded the fewest goals in the league with only 9 goals against them this season. It is no surprise that with only conceding nine goals in 20 games, that Mallorca have the most clean sheets with fourteen clean sheets in their 20 league games.
Mallorca are also the joint second highest scorers in the league with Almeria, scoring 28 goals this season, with only Espanyol having scored more goals than both.
Mallorca seem to be an impressive force going forward as well, as they have had the most shots on target in the league, which has helped them be so clinical in front of goal. Dani Rodríguez is the top scorer for the side with six league goals this season, but the goals have been shared with eleven other players getting at least one goal in the league.
Mallorca will be looking to secure an automatic promotion place and if they can keep their defence as solid as they have and continue to be free scoring then they will be looking to return to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid next season.
Espanyol
At the top of the league is Espanyol who have been impressive this season and have won 13 of their 20 league games this season.
Espanyol have been impressive at home with only one defeat and one draw and they have won eight of their ten homes games.
Like Mallorca and Leganes, they have been defensively solid, with only ten goals conceded and have 12 clean sheets this season.
Espanyol have been impeccable in an attacking sense as they have scored 30 goals this season, which has made them the league’s top scoring side. They also have the league’s top scorer with Raúl de Tomás who has scored 12 goals this season. Adri Embarba has been important in a creative sense as he has assisted five goals this season.
Espanyol have also had eight other goal scorers, showing the team are comfortable in front of goal, which will help them in their quest for promotion.
Espanyol have been impressive going forward and if Raúl de Tomás continues scoring goals for the side, he will likely help his team to return to La Liga. Also, with a solid defence and impressive forward options, Espanyol will be confident of promotion and maybe even winning Segunda.
