For the third time
This is the third time Numancia are back in Primera in the last 12 years. They, once got relegated in the first season, second time they spent two seasons in Primera and we will see if the third time will be a charm. Last year they were completely dominant in the race title in second Spanish BBVA league and secure d their promotion already by the middle of the season. The club is situated in the small town of Soria with 35 000 residents. The name comes from the famous Iberian town Numancia the forerunner of Soria, that was under Roman unsuccessful siege for more than ten years and Iberian heroic resistance became a legend.
Many players left, but the squad still have quality
During the summer transfer window many players left the club but most of them didn't have a too important role in the squad anyway. Mainly the players who failed to fight their way to the pitch, left and the list is pretty long. Beranger left to Espanyol, Jacobo to Valladolid, Sietes, Nunez, keeper Aragoness, Carmelo to Levante and Jorda went to Alicante. The newcomers are Barkero from Albacete, Dimas Delgado from Barcelona B and Juan Pablo who came from Tenerife. Experienced Croatian coach Sergije Kresic who has been training many Spanish first and second-league clubs for 16 years now, has become one of the "domestic” experts and has huge experience when it comes to small clubs' survival in the first league. His experience is of great importance for the new Primera season. Stadium with the capacity for 14 000 players will be hot ground for many favourites.
In
Guayre (Celta Vigo), Montejo (Zaragoza), Cisma (Almeria), Platero (Racing B), Dimas (Barcelona B), Juan Pablo (Tenerife), Barkero (Albacete)
Out
Julio Alvarez (Almeria), Jacobo (Valladolid), Sietes, Jorda (Poli Ejido), Beranger (Espanyol), Nunez (Guadalajara), Carmelo (Levante), Bolo, Sergio Aragoneses
Survival is the only priority
Season will be completely focused on survival. Nothing else matters, if the play is attractive or not, whether the referees favour the team or no. Survival at any cost is the priority which is normal. The quality of the squad is not so bad; defence has Francisco Pavon, a good player raised in Real who played many important games in Spanish Primera and in the Champions League. Experienced Barkero and Mario will join him in defence; they played great last season in their clubs, former in Albacete and the latter in Numancia. The midfield is reserved for experienced and players of high quality like Palacios, Nagore and Jon Perez "Bolo", a midfielder with an excellent scoring capability. The attack is strong as well, where we must mention young Antonio Guyare, player of excellent technical quality who was the sensation of the league in Las Palmas three seasons ago. Domingo Cisma and Toche are two good strikers who complete this decent squad. Numancia should find a way to survive and it would be realistic to see them somewhere around 15th place in the end of the season.
Our tip: Position from 14th to 17th
Odds
Bookmaker: Bet365
CL
CLQ
UEFA
RELEG
