**Valladolid's home fortress meets a Albacete side in freefall** — the hosts are cooking with two wins in their last five, while the visitors haven't tasted victory in their last five games. 📊

Valladolid's showing real grip at José Zorrilla with a 3-1 demolition of Córdoba recently, though they've let draws slip in too. Albacete, meanwhile, are limping in off four losses in five — they've shipped some heavy defeats (0-2 to Girona, 1-3 to Eibar) and are clearly struggling for shape.

Key storylines:

- **Valladolid's midfield engine** with J. Ponceau and I. Alejo will dictate tempo against a Albacete side hamstrung by injuries (J. Moreno, L. Aguado, P. Sánchez all out)
- **J. Latasa up front** needs to keep the pressure on; Valladolid's attack is where the threat comes from
- **Albacete's back line under siege** — C. Neva and L. López will have their hands full against a side scoring freely at home

Expected lineups:

- **Real Valladolid**: A. A. Catalina, I. G. Muñoz, D. Torres, R. Martínez, I. Alejo, J. Ponceau, V. Fernández, K. de Rooij, L. Chacón, Y. Cabanzón, J. Latasa
- **Albacete Balompié**: C. Marín, C. Neva, L. López, J. Vallejo, F. Gámez, V. Valverde, S. Ortuño, A. Pacheco, J. Corpas, M. Soberón, A. Rubio

Prediction:

**Valladolid 2–0 Albacete** — the hosts have a clear edge and should roll over a depleted, out-of-form opponent. 🎯