Real Oviedo are targeting their first win of the season this Friday in an away match against Albacete Balompié at the Carlos Belmonte stadium. According to La Voz de Asturias, the Asturian side will be without key forwards and face several selection doubts. The match, corresponding to the third round of the Segunda División, is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be officiated by referee Eder Mallo Fernández.
The most notable absences are strikers Chris Ramos and Carlos Fernández, who remained in Oviedo. This leaves Alexandru Isfan and Víctor Mingo as the only natural options to lead the offensive line, with Isfan in contention to start. The situation forces manager Julián Calero to reconfigure a team looking to bounce back after two initial defeats at the Tartiere.
In the rest of the squad, goalkeeper Aarn Escandell and defender David Costas appear certain to start. Samu Rodríguez is set at left-back. However, there is competition at right-back between Nacho Vidal and Aisar, and in central defence between Carlos Domínguez and Dani Calvo, with the latter pairing being a particularly close call.
The midfield presents its own questions. Mikel Aldasoro pushed for a place in training, but a lack of match sharpness might see him start on the bench. This would likely see Youness, Reina and Villahermosa chosen for the engine room. On the wings, Pablo Senz is a firm candidate for the right side, while Jacobo, Estanis Pedrola and Dieguito compete for the left, with Jacobo the favourite after starting the first two matches.
One option Calero is considering is introducing Aldasoro later, which could see Reina or Villahermosa shift to the left flank to give Samu Rodríguez the entire wing. The final lineup is, according to the regional outlet, the hardest to predict so far this season. Fans can check the full squad composition on our team page.
The opponent, Albacete managed by Alberto González, also arrives hampered by significant absences. They will be without former Oviedo player Obeng, who is seriously injured, and Higinio. Additionally, midfielders Rober, Capi, Puertas and San Bartolomé and winger Valverde are all out. The main new face could be Munir, the Manchego club's latest signing.
Albacete are also seeking their first win, after losing away to Las Palmas and at home to Real Sociedad B. Their youth product Javi Moreno is not expected to start and would await his chance from the bench. The match is a key opportunity for both sides to correct their course in the table, which can be followed in our standings section.
La Voz de Asturias suggests these probable formations. For Albacete: Mario; Aguado, Vallejo, Pepe Sánchez, Lluís López, Neva; Corpas, Ortuño, Pacheco, Javi Villar; Álex Rubio. For Real Oviedo: Aarn Escandell; Nacho Vidal, Costas, Dani Calvo, Samu Rodríguez; Youness, Reina; Pablo Senz, Villahermosa, Jacobo; Isfan.
The match represents Real Oviedo's first away challenge of the 2026/27 season. A positive result would provide a significant morale boost ahead of upcoming fixtures, the schedule for which is available on our fixtures page. Oviedo's next home match at the Tartiere is scheduled for the following week.
