Almeria vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Almeria vs Real Madrid on and what time does it start? Almeria vs Real Madrid will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 18:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Almeria vs Real Madrid? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Almeria vs Real Madrid on in the UK? Almeria vs Real Madrid will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Almeria vs Real Madrid in the UK? Almeria vs Real Madrid can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ALMERIA
It has been a frustrating summer transfer window for Almeria with the sale of El Bilal Toure to Atalanta for a fee in the region of £26.5 million. The Andalusians are expected to struggle once again this season after they avoided relegation on the final day of the season last year, following promotion in 2022, albeit they collected over 40 points in what was one of the most fascinating and thrilling relegation battles anywhere in Europe.
The home team, under the management of Vicente Moreno, began the 2023/24 La Liga campaign with a very disappointing 2-0 loss at home to a Rayo Vallecano side that have lost several players, as well as their manager, over the summer and a side expected to be down towards the bottom end of the table alongside Almeria.
REAL MADRID
Real Madrid began the 2023/24 La Liga campaign with a comfortable and impressive 2-0 win in the Basque Country against a very lacklustre and underwhelming Athletic Club side. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were dominant throughout with Jude Bellingham scoring on debut as well as Rodrygo. It could and should have been more but it was an emphatic way to begin a season in which they hope to reclaim the title.
The visitors do have some major injury worries, though. Thibaut Courtois has suffered an ACL injury to be replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga in due on course after he joined on loan from Chelsea but Andriy Lunin performed well in Bilbao last week. Eder Militao also suffered an ACL injury in that victory so there are holes in this Madrid defence.
THE TEAM NEWS
ALMERIA
Vicente Moreno is without Martin Svidersky and Leo Baptistao for this match because of injuries but he still managed to put out what was a seemingly good team on paper last weekend. Not many changes, if any, are expected from the side that lined up in a 4-2-3-1 against Rayo.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Marino; Pozo, Edgar, Babic, Akieme; Robertone, Baba; Lazaro, Ramazani, Embarba; Suarez
UNAVAILABLE: Svidersky (Injured), Baptistao (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID
Carlo Ancelotti is a pragmatist and has been innovative with tactical decision-making throughout his long and illustrious managerial career. He will have to be even more flexible this weekend with Eder Militao’s ACL injury adding a further complication with Ferland Mendy still out. Andriy Lunin’s impressive performance last week means he should and probably will just about keep Kepa Arrizabalaga out of the side for now.
PREDICTED XI (X-X-X-X): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Tchouameni; Valverde, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
UNAVAILABLE: Courtois (Injured), Militao (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Guler (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Following Almeria’s promotion back to the top-flight last season, they started the 2022/23 campaign by hosting the then reigning Liga and European champions Real Madrid in Andalusia. After taking an early lead, Madrid eventually won the match. This time around, without their goal scorer from that evening El Bilal Toure, Almeria are unlikely to pose remotely as much of a threat to a Los Blancos side who started in excellent and comfortable fashion by winning 2-0 at the San Mames last week and another comfortable Real Madrid victory is to be expected on Saturday evening.
TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN
