Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel as Cordoba welcome Almeria. Both sides are looking over their shoulders at this stage of the season, which makes this fixture even more important. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the relegation six-pointer, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news here.

TEAMS

CORDOBA: Carlos; Gunino, Pantic, Crespo, Edimar; Deivid, Rossi; Fede, Bebe, Ghilas; Andone

ALMERIA: Julian; Michel, Mauro, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Verza, Corona; Silva, Soriano, Edgar; Thievy

So there we have it. No real surprises in the Cordoba XI, with Bebe, Fede Cartabia and Nabil Ghilas all starting in what is another attacking formation. For the visitors, Edgar Mendez will continue in an advanced position, while Frenchman Thievy Bifouma comes in as the centre forward.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Almeria have won two of the last five matches, with Cordoba winning once and the further two fixtures ending in draws. The last time that the pair met in this stadium was in March 2013, when Cordoba won 4-1. The two sides have of course already met earlier this season in Cordoba, however, and the points were shared in a fairly uneventful 1-1 draw.

Cordoba really struggled for form in the early part of the season, but back-to-back league wins over Granada and Rayo Vallecano earlier this month moved them out of the drop zone. They are now three league games without a victory, however, with last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Celta Vigo leaving them 18th. As it stands, there are just two points separating the bottom five teams in Spain's leading division.

Home form has been a problem for Cordoba this season, meanwhile, with the newly-promoted side winning just one of their 11 league games on their own patch. They have also only scored eight times in this stadium, which is a reflection of their troubles. On the road, they have been pretty good in relation to the teams around them – losing five of their 10 matches and picking up nine points.

Almeria, meanwhile, have their own problems. Last weekend's 1-0 win over Getafe was their first home victory of the season and moved them out of the relegation zone onto 19 points. On the road, however, it has been a different story entirely. They have won four of their 11 matches, which is more than Valencia and the same number as Villarreal – two teams that are chasing Champions League football.

This match is even more important when taking a closer look at what both teams have to come in recent weeks. Cordoba's next two league games are against Sevilla and Valencia, while Almeria face Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid. The race to avoid the drop in La Liga is shaping up to be just as fascinating as matters at the other end of the table. Right, just about time for my pre-match prediction.

PREDICTION! It is a difficult one to call, with both sides in poor form. However, I just fancy Cordoba on their own patch. I am expecting a very tight match, but I am backing a 2-1 home win.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.

It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition this early afternoon - perfect conditions. Cordoba press forward with Fede, but the Spaniard's low pass into Florin finds the striker offside.

Cordoba have made the better start to this match, with Ghilas the latest to threaten in a wide position, but the on-loan Porto forward gives away a foul after pulling Michel to the ground. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be just vital in this type of match.

Almeria threaten as Mendez places a header into the path of Thievy, but Juan Carlos comes out to claim at the vital moment, before Cordoba break down the other end. Fast opening five minutes here.

CHANCE! The first real chance of the match falls to Almeria as Thievy drives down the right before finding Silva, but his low strike is just wide of the post. Excellent counter from the visitors.

Almeria have taken control of the match now, with Verza and Corona both causing problems in wide areas. The latter delivers into Thievy, but Edimar is on hand to make the block. Cordoba break quickly down the other end, but Edimar is felled just outside the Almeria box by Silva.

What a super, super goal that is! Fede stands over the resulting free kick and bends one into the top corner. Picture-perfect set piece from the Spaniard and the hosts lead inside 10 minutes.

Sometimes these early Sunday La Liga starts take a while to get going, but that has not been the case here. Both sides are committing numbers forward and that will surely lead to more goals.

Good pressure from Almeria in the last couple of moments as Verza delivers a dangerous cross from the left, but Cordoba survive when the referee blows for a free kick. Mendez is causing problems for the away side, while Thievy remains a serious threat in-behind. End-to-end football in Cordoba.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. There has not been a booking in the opening 17 minutes though.

BOOKING! Just as I say no bookings, Rossi (Cordoba) picks up a yellow for fouling Mendez.

Cordoba threaten down the right as Bebe combines with Fede before whipping a low cross into the box, but Michel is on hand to clear the danger. Cordoba win another free kick in a decent area moments later following a rash challenge from Dubarbier. Still 1-0 Cordoba with 20 minutes on the clock.

CROSSBAR! Almeria cannot get out of their own half at the moment, with the home side forcing two more set pieces. Ghilas has a golden chance after meeting a corner from Fede, but his header smashes off the crossbar. It really should be 2-0 Cordoba, but somehow Almeria survive the pressure.

Andone is next to try his luck for the home side after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Cordoba are really pressing for a second goal here.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Almeria have started to warm to their task with a sustained period of possession in the home side's half of the field.

CHANCE! Cordoba come close to scoring their second as Andone meets a corner from the left, but Julian is on hand to make a smart save. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

Both sides remain a threat, with Thievy's pace causing problems to the Cordoba defence. The home team's main danger is coming in wide areas, with Ghilas and Bebe both stretching the lines.

As it stands, Cordoba would move out of the relegation zone and into 15th spot in the table, which is a demonstration of the closeness in the bottom half of the division. Almeria, meanwhile, would drop to 17th. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Cordoba and the hosts still lead.

CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Fede causes all sorts of problems outside the box before sliding a pass into Andone, who delivers from a wide area, but Gunino, who had remained forward from defence, could not make contact. Cordoba could be out of sight here.

BOOKING! Dubarbier (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Andone.

BOOKING! Bebe (Cordoba) has been booked for taking a quick free kick without permission, but it was not the Portuguese that shifted the ball. That is extremely bizarre.

Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as the challenges continue to arrive from both teams. Meanwhile, the play is flowing from end-to-end as both sides seek the game's second goal.

Another half-chance for the home side as Fede drives past two defenders before curling one towards the far corner, but Julian is on hand to make the save. Fede has had a super half for Cordoba here.

Cordoba threaten once again as Bebe delivers a super cross towards Andone, but the striker cannot make contact inside the box. Any touch would have taken the ball flying past Julian from close range.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close, with Cordoba leading 1-0 courtesy of an excellent free kick from Fede Cartabia. Both teams have had chances to add to the scoring, but the score remains 1-0 at the interval. Let us hope for more of the same in the second 45 minutes here.

STATS! Cordoba have just shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had six attempts - three of which have been on target. Almeria, meanwhile, have had just one attempt off target. There have also been three yellow cards, which is not a surprise following some late and untidy tackles.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with January loan signings Krhin and Zuculini both available for Djukic, in addition to Heldon. Almeria boss Martinez, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Espinosa, Teye and Romera.

Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Almeria respond? As it stands, Cordoba will move out of the drop zone. The visitors restart the second period here.

No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second period advances in Cordoba.

Good pressure from the away side in the early stages of the second period, with Corona delivering a couple of dangerous corners from the right. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be just vital here. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this one.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Almeria have the ball in the back of the net as Soriano converts from close range, but Thievy had just carried the ball out of play before delivering a low cross.

Almeria remain on the front foot as they pin Cordoba to the edge of their own box, but they are finding it difficult to create clear opportunities. Corona delivers another dangerous cross towards Thievy, but Edimar is first to the ball and the danger is cleared. Still 1-0 Cordoba with 52 minutes played.

CHANCE! Cordoba's best chance of the second period falls to Ghilas as the on-loan Porto striker curls one from just outside the box, but Julian is on hand to make a super save.

Almeria are straight down the other end with Mendez, but the Spaniard can only force a corner, which is delivered into the arms of Juan Carlos. End-to-end football with 55 minutes on the clock here.

Another half-chance for Almeria as Mendez, who has looked the most likely, strikes one from just outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Cordoba retain their lead, for now.

BOOKING! Thievy (Almeria) is booked for a high challenge on Crespo.

We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering alterations. Cordoba have a half-chance as Andone meets a through ball, but his low strike is pushed wide by Julian.

Almeria level just past the hour mark as Michel fires into the back of the net after advancing into the Cordoba box. Excellent finish from the Brazilian and we are all level here!

It was excellent work from Silva in the build-up to that equaliser, with the Brazilian managing to chip a pass into the path of Michel. Well, this is very nicely poised with 25 minutes of football remaining.

SUB! Cordoba make their first change as Zuculini replaces Rossi.

Michel is at it again! The defender scores his second goal of the match after powering a header into the bottom corner. It was another excellent ball from Silva and the full-back did the rest!

SUB! Cordoba make their second change as Andone is replaced by Heldon.

Well, little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Almeria have turned this game around in the second period. You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this one though.

BOOKING! Corona (Almeria) is booked for attempting to stop a counter, but there referee allows play to continue. Fede drives into the Almeria box and goes down, but the referee is not interested. It is all getting very feisty with little under 20 minutes of football remaining in Cordoba.

BOOKING! Wellington (Almeria) is booked for dissent.

BOOKING! Soriano (Almeria) now picks up a booking for pulling Fede to the ground. The game is so stop-start at the moment due to the number of late challenges occurring.

SUB! Almeria make their first change as Silva is replaced by Dani Romera.

Cordoba continue to press, but Julian comes out to clear a through pass from Pantic as Almeria keep their lead in tact. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Cordoba need something here.

Julian is called into action once again in the Almeria goal and the Spaniard is up to the task as he denies Bebe from a wide area. It has been a busy second period for the referee and that remains the case.

SUB! Almeria make their second change as Soriano is replaced by Espinosa.

Cordoba again threaten as Fede strikes one from outside the box, but Julian is down to make the save. Almeria are awfully deep at the moment and that is a risk with still around 10 minutes remaining.

SUB! Cordoba make their third change as Abel Gomez replaces Deivid.

Michel has had a super game for Almeria down the right and the Brazilian, who has scored twice, earns his side a welcome rest as he gains a free kick in the Cordoba half. Still 2-1 Almeria here.

BOOKING! Trujillo (Almeria) is carded for handball.

SUB! Almeria make their final change as Thomas replaces Thievy.

Cordoba continue to threaten and want a penalty following a heavy challenge from Dos Santos, but the referee is not interested. I suspect that there will be around two minutes added on here.

Cordoba have another penalty shout as Fede goes down under a challenge from Thomas, but once again the referee is not interested. It just is not going to happen for the hosts here.

We are into the second of three added minutes in Cordoba and Almeria still lead 2-1.

Corona steps across to clear another counter from the home side and time is fast running out. Almeria fire the ball long and Cordoba have a throw inside their own half.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Almeria running out 2-1 winners. Cordoba remain 18th in the table following the defeat, but the away side have risen into 15th. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the La Liga affair. Until next time!