Let's be honest from the start: detailed recent form data for both Albacete and Racing de Santander is thin on the ground. What we do know is that this is a Spanish second-tier clash, and both sides have been busy in pre-season friendlies. Albacete drew 1-1 with Real Murcia at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, while Racing de Santander also played out a 1-1 draw, this time against Deportivo Alavés. Those results tell us both teams are still finding their rhythm, still experimenting, still a little short of full sharpness. That's typical for this stage of the campaign.

Albacete, though, come into this with a bit of a spring in their step. The injury list has been cut from ten potential absentees down to five confirmed, and the return of Javi Villar plus the availability of Álex Rubio has steadied the ship. Antonio Pacheco's late absence is a blow, but the squad is breathing easier. Racing, meanwhile, are a club on the rise — they've just been promoted to La Liga, and that changes everything about their mindset. They'll be buzzing, but also a little wary of the step up in quality. At the Carlos Belmonte, Albacete will feel they can compete.