LIVE STREAM: Badalona Dracs Battle Reus Imperials for First in Spain (7p CEST, 1p EDT)

First place is up for grabs, more or less,  in Spain today as the unbeaten Badalona Dracs will visit the second place Reus Imperials at Campo de Fútbol Reddis in Reus at 7 p CEST (1p EDT).

The Dracs enter the game as heavy favorites after having trounced the Imperials in their first meeting earlier in the season 54-6. So Reus would have to win by 48 points or more to take over first place, an unlikely scenario. But bragging rights are important too. And Reus has improved since that first encounter.

The Imperials are averaging 36 points per game compared to Badalona’s 43.1. Reus quarterback Brady Huber is second only to Dracs quarterback Sergi Gonzalo in touchdowns passes. Gonzalo has thrown 36 to Huber’s 25.

The game will feature the leading scorers in the Dracs Hunter Lee (108 points) and Nate Stephens (102 points) for the Imperials. Dracs receiver Joey Herrick is coming off of a three touchdown performance and will present more problems for Reus.

The Imperial’s Finnish connection, Henri Laine has been outstanding this season along with running back Chris Smallwood.

However, if it comes down to defense, Badalona has a huge advantage having given up a mere 8.1 points per game so far this season. Reus lags far behind surrendering a whopping 28 points per contest.

Since that loss early in the season, Reus has won five straight games and will be playing at home. But Badalona has had no problems playing on the road this year.

So this one cannot be called a toss up but both teams have plenty to play for. A win for Reus would go a  long ways in bolstering confidence going into the playoffs and shake the Dracs. A win for Badalona will make a statement as both the playoffs and the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions loom.

Watch the game live through a retransmission on the Reus Imperials Facebook page. Kickoff 7 pm CET (1 pm EDT). For notification when retransmission starts, “like” the Reus Imperials FB page.