Real Avilés vs Barakaldo - Primera División RFEF - Group 1

The history between Real Avilés and Barakaldo lends this Primera División RFEF - Group 1 fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at Estadio Román Suárez Puerta on May 17, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. It has not been a daunting fixture list but there are signs that Mourinho has found a way to get the best from an increasingly stacked Madrid squad.

Both Real Avilés and Barakaldo will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Primera División RFEF - Group 1. Consistency has eluded Real Avilés in recent weeks, with DWL in their last five and a win rate of 25% that tells of an up-and-down campaign. The visitors have been a mixed bag on the road, LWLWL in their last five and a win rate of 25% reflecting their unpredictability. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. Carrick has experimented with Noussair Mazraoui in that position but he seems to have fallen down the pecking order, as the less experienced Patrick Dorgu was preferred for the Manchester derby loss.

The touchline duel between the two managers adds another layer of intrigue, with both likely to tweak their setups in search of a decisive edge. Tottenham have changed their approach and are spending big on players who already know the Premier League.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. But this only highlights the gulf between Van Hecke and every other defender in the Premier League even more.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Primera División RFEF - Group 1 standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Important qualities given that Bournemouth will expect him to be proactive.