Almeria's search for their first La Liga victory of the 2023-24 campaign will continue on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Las Palmas to Power Horse Stadium.
The home side have only picked up three points from their 10 league matches this season to sit 20th in the table, while Las Palmas are 12th, boasting 11 points from their first 10 games.
Match preview
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Almeria have a record of zero wins, three draws and seven defeats from their 10 league matches this season to sit bottom of the division on three points, while they have been conceding goals at an alarming rate, shipping 29 thus far, including five in a 5-2 loss to Girona last time out.
Gaizka Garitano was brought in as head coach on October 8, taking charge of his first match against Girona, and he would have quickly become aware of the problems facing him when it comes to keeping the team in Spain's top flight for the 2024-25 campaign.
La Union only narrowly avoided relegation last term, claiming 17th on the final weekend of the campaign, and it does appear that it will be a tough season for the club.
UDA have lost three of their last four in the league, but they have avoided defeat in their last two at home, drawing 2-2 with Valencia and 3-3 with Granada, suggesting that this contest could have goals, although Las Palmas are the lowest goalscorers in the division with six.
The last two meetings between these two teams have finished level, with both of those fixtures taking place during the 2021-22 Segunda Division campaign, while Almeria are unbeaten against Las Palmas since October 2020.
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As mentioned, Las Palmas have only found the back of the net on six occasions this term, which is incredible considering that they are 12th in the table, with their success being built on a strong defensive record, conceding just nine times, which is the third-best behind Atletico Madrid (eight) and Real Madrid (seven).
Garcia Pimienta's side have won three of their last five league matches to rise the table, beating Granada, Celta Vigo and Villarreal during a strong run of form.
The visitors will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 home loss to Rayo Vallecano, though, which made their record three wins, two draws and five losses from 10 games this season.
Las Palmas have 11 points, five ahead of the relegation zone and six behind the top six, so it has been an encouraging start to their first campaign back at this level since 2017-18.
Los Amarillos have lost four of their five away matches in La Liga this season, but they did record a 2-1 victory over Villarreal in their last fixture on the road earlier this month.
Team News
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Almeria have a fairly lengthy injury at this moment in time, with Sergio Akieme, Edgar Gonzalez, Marc Pubill, Luis Suarez, Martin Svidersky and Ibrahima Kone on the sidelines.
Head coach Garitano is expected to make changes from the side that started against Girona, with Chumi and Gonzalo Melero potentially coming into the XI.
However, there will definitely again be a start at centre-forward for Leo Baptistao, with the Brazilian scoring twice against Girona before the home side launched an incredible comeback.
Las Palmas, meanwhile, will be without the services of Fabio Gonzalez, Sandro Ramirez, Eric Curbelo and Omenuke Mfulu for the clash with Almeria.
Head coach Garcia Pimienta is attempting to find the right formula in the final third of the field, with Marc Cardona their joint-leading goalscorer, while Jonathan Viera has two.
Marc Cardona is again expected to feature in the final third of the field on Saturday, while Munir El Haddadi should also keep hold of his spot in a wide area for the visitors.
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Pozo, Montes, Kaiky, Centelles; Baba, Chumi; Arribas, Melero, Embarba; Baptistao
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Valles; Suarez, Coco, Marmol, S Cardona; Pejino, Munoz, K Rodriguez, Loiodice, El Haddadi; M Cardona
We say: Almeria 1-1 Las Palmas
Las Palmas do not concede many, but they have real problems finding the back of the net, and if Almeria can score first, we fancy them to avoid defeat here. It is difficult to back the hosts to win due to their struggles in that department this season, but we can see the points being shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
