MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 11:54:39| >> :600:87737:87737:
[monks data]
Almeria
La Liga | Gameweek 28
Apr 9, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos
Valencia logo

Almeria
2 - 1
Valencia

Melero (49'), Babic (58')
Chumi (20'), Suarez Charris (23'), Robertone (42')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Castillejo (61')
Foulquier (7'), Perez (86')

Preview: Almeria vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's La Liga clash between Almeria and Valencia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams battling for their lives towards the bottom of the La Liga table will lock horns on Sunday evening, with 19th-placed Almeria hosting 17th-placed Valencia.

The hosts will enter the contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo last Sunday, while Los Che drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.


Match preview

Almeria's Rodrigo Ely and Srdan Babic celebrate after the match on February 26, 2023© Reuters

Almeria spent seven straight seasons in the Segunda Division before securing a return to Spain's top flight, and they face a battle to retain their status at this level for another campaign.

La Union boast a record of seven wins, six draws and 14 defeats from their 27 league games this season, which has left them 19th in the table on 27 points.

Rubi's side are level on points with 17th-placed Valencia, though, and sit just three points behind 14th-placed Getafe, so a lot could change in a relatively short space of time.

Almeria have not been victorious in the league since beating Barcelona at the end of February, picking up just two points from their last four matches, which have been draws in their last two against Cadiz and Celta Vigo.

UDA have incredibly picked up 23 of their 27 points on home soil this season, boasting the seventh-best record in front of their own fans, and they will be welcoming a Valencia outfit that have collected just six points on their travels during the 2022-23 campaign.

Valencia's Hugo Duro celebrates scoring a disallowed goal with teammates on March 18, 2023© Reuters

Valencia's first match after the international break was Monday's home game against Rayo Vallecano, and Los Che needed a late Justin Kluivert penalty to secure a share of the spoils.

The draw moved Ruben Baraja's side out of the relegation zone and into 17th, but they are level on points with two of the three teams in the bottom three.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a hugely disappointing campaign for Valencia, and their relegation to the Segunda Division would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of La Liga.

Los Che have not played outside of Spain's top flight since 1987, while they finished fourth in 2019, but the Spanish giants are now facing the prospect of dropping down a level for 2023-24.

Since Baraja's arrival as head coach in the middle of February, Valencia have won two, drawn one and lost three of their six matches, and they have some huge games to come this month, facing Sevilla, Elche, Real Valladolid and Cadiz before the end of April.

Almeria La Liga form:

Valencia La Liga form:


Team News

Valencia's Samuel Dias Lino celebrates scoring their first goal with Edinson Cavani on January 11, 2023© Reuters

Almeria will again be missing Sergio Akieme and El Bilal Toure through injury for this contest.

Dyego Sousa remains a doubt for the home side, but there will be a return to the squad for Inigo Eguaras, who was suspended for the draw with Celta last time out.

Cesar de la Hoz is expected to return to the starting side in midfield, having been on the bench against Celta, but it might otherwise be the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against the Sky Blues, with Luis Suarez and Leo Bapistao playing as a front two.

As for Valencia, Jaume Domenech remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury, while Gabriel Paulista is again expected to miss out for the visitors on Sunday.

Los Che have no other fitness concerns, but Baraja could make changes from Monday's game against Rayo Vallecano, with Yunus Musah and Hugo Duro potentially coming into the side.

Kluivert should retain his spot on the left side of the attack, while Samuel Lino and Andre Almeida are also set to start for the visitors in this contest.

Almeria possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Chumi, Ely, Babic, Centelles; Puigmal, Melero, De la Hoz, Robertone; Suarez, Baptistao

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Correia, Diakhaby, Ozkacar, Gaya; Almeida, Guillamon, Musah; Kluivert, Duro, Lino


SM words green background

We say: Almeria 1-1 Valencia

Valencia have the third-worst away record in the league this season, so we are finding it tough to back them to secure all three points. Almeria's impressive home form this term makes them the favourites, but we just have a feeling that the points will be shared in this contest.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:510845:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10869:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Almeria vs Valencia

Almeria
35.8%
Draw
35.8%
Valencia
28.4%
67
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring their first goal with Mario Hermoso on February 19, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's La Liga predictions including Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!