Leganes captain Martin Mantovani (#5) competes for the ball against Barcelona's Lionel Messi. (Photo : Getty Images)
Lowly sides CD Leganes (4-13-6, 18 points) and Deportivo de La Coruna (4-11-7, 19 points) will square off at the Butarque Stadium on Feb. 25, Saturday as round 24 of the 2016-2017 La Liga season moves forward.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 12:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Leganes, newly-promoted as runners-up of last season's Segunda Division competitions, has been struggling in the Spanish top flight this term with a 12-game winless slide. Their last win was back in November against cellar-dwellers Osasuna. The team is now in the 17th spot in the 20-team standings, only two points above the bottom three relegation zone.
Los Pepineros is actually coming off a valiant effort against Barcelona after they lost to the defending champions, 1-2, last Sunday on the road at the Camp Nou, The Guardian reported.
Barça leader Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the match with a three-yard goal off a pass by Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez.
Head coach Asier Garitano's squad was able to equalize the game in the 71st minute via a goal from Spanish midfielder Unai Lopez to try and put a dent in Barcelona's title hopes.
However, Messi netted his second goal right on the stroke of full-time with a converted penalty kick from a foul by Leganes captain Martin Mantovani on Brazilian winger Neymar, giving his team the lead.
Meanwhile, Deportivo La Coruna is also reeling with a six-game winless skid. The team has dropped to 16th place and is now only one point ahead of Leganes in the standings.
Deportivo succumbed to a 0-1 nipping from another newly-promoted side, Alaves, at their home ground of Riazor Stadium last Saturday, as per ESPN.
Alaves captain Manu Garcia netted the winning goal with a spot kick in the 68th minute for the visitors, handing head coach Gaizka Garitano's side their third consecutive loss.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 1-0 win by Leganes.
Leganes starting lineup (4-5-1 formation): Herrerin; Tito, Mantovani, Siovas, Rico; El Zhar, Martin, Moran, Gabriel, Szymanowski; Guerrero
Deportivo La Coruna starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Lux; Juanfran, Albentosa, Sidnei, Luisinho; Guilherme, Borges; Kakuta, Colak, Gama; Andone
