Real Madrid vs Almeria Preview
High-flying Real Madrid will host Almeria in La Liga as they look to win and keep up pace with this season’s surprise leaders Girona.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men enter this contest on the back of am impressive showing in the Supercopa de Espana. They defeated two of their fiercest rivals in Atletico Madrid and Barcelona en-route to lifting the trophy. Four wins and one draw in their last five league games has enabled them to create a seven-point gap to third-placed Athletic Club, whilst they trail Girona by a solitary point. A win could see them temporarily restore their lead at the top.
Almeria, on the other hand, are struggling on the other end of the table with just six points from 20 league games so far. They are the only club in La Liga yet to register a single win this season and are one of two sides to have conceded in excess of 40 goals halfway through the campaign. With three defeats and two draws in their last five league games, there is little hope against Real Madrid. However, Gaizka Garitano’s men will put up a fight.
Real Madrid vs Almeria Team News & Probable Lineups
Real Madrid
Long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba remain sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries, with the trio likely to miss the remainder of this season. Lucas Vazquez will miss out due to a hamstring injury picked up earlier this month.
Jude Bellingham is the only player at the risk of suspension having already picked up four yellow cards prior to this game.
Probable XI: Andriy Lunin (GK), Daniel Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez (C), Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.
Almeria
Almeria will travel to the Spanish capital without long-term absentee Ibrahima Kone (ankle), who is likely to return closer to the end of the season. Winger Largie Ramazani is the only player risking suspension prior to this game.
Probable XI: Luis Maximiano, Marc Pubill, Cesar Montes, Chumi, Sergio Akieme, Edgar Gonzalez, Sergio Arribas, Lucas Robertone (C), Dion Lopy, Adrian Embarba, Leo Baptistao.
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Real Madrid vs Almeria Head-to-Head & Prediction
Last 5 La Liga games H2H
- Almeria 1-3 Real Madrid (08/23)
- Real Madrid 4-2 Almeria (04/23)
- Almeria 1-2 Real Madrid (08/22)
- Real Madrid 3-0 Almeria (04/15)
- Almeria 1-4 Real Madrid (12/14)
As you can see, Real Madrid have been absolutely ruthless and dominant against Almeria during their meetings in La Liga.
Despite a seven-year long hiatus for the club between 2015-22 while they were in the Segunda Divison, Los Blancos continued their dominance once Almeria returned to Spain’s premier competition.
Almeria last won against Real Madrid back in February 2008, while the last time they picked up a point was in January 2011.
Most things point towards a similar, dominant Real Madrid result in this game, but Almeria are unlikely to score barring errors from Los Blancos.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4-0 Almeria.
Real Madrid vs Almeria Betting Tips & Odds
Tips
- Real Madrid win to nil: Yes.
- Real Madrid to win both halves: Yes.
- Over 3.5 goals: Yes.
Odds
- Real Madrid win: 1.17
- Draw: 8.50
- Almeria win: 17.00
Top Players to Watch
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior’s incredible hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final thrust him into the limelight yet again. It was his first-ever hat-trick against Barca and only his second-ever for Los Blancos. However, doing so in a final will surely give him a huge boost in confidence and one can expect a big few weeks from the Brazilian.
With nine goals and four assists in 16 games so far this season, it seems Vinicius is just getting started. He bagged 23 goals and 21 assists in 55 appearances for his best-ever season last time around and will look to surpass those numbers this year.
Almeria
Midfielder Sergio Arribas will be one to watch as he has bagged five goals and one assist for Almeria in La Liga this season. The 22-year-old’s ability to pick a pass in midfield is crucial for his team and he will pull the strings as the playmaker of the side. His performances in the middle of the park will be crucial should Almeria foster hopes of preventing a mauling.
Real Madrid vs Almeria Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Sunday, 21st January 8:45 PM IST.
- India: Sports18 and JioCinema.
- UK: ITV Sports.
- Spain: DAZN.
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