Espanyol vs Almeria Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Espanyol vs Almeria on and what time does it start? Espanyol vs Almeria will take place on Sunday 4th June, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Espanyol vs Almeria ? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Espanyol vs Almeria on in the UK? Espanyol vs Almeria will be televised live on LaLigaTV (Sky channel 435, Virgin channel 554) for those with a Viaplay subscription, while Sky and Virgin customers can also sign up to the channel.
Where can I stream Espanyol vs Almeria in the UK? Espanyol vs Almeria can be streamed live on Viaplay
THE LOWDOWN
Espanyol
Despite a minor improvement in their performances of late, Espanyol begin the 38th and final round of the 2022/23 La Liga season having already been mathematically confirmed. The Catalans have suffered heartbreak in each of their last two high-scoring draws against Valencia and Atletico Madrid. Beginning the season with Diego Martinez and finishing it with Luis Garcia, the Barcelona-based club have suffered a second relegation in three La Liga seasons.
In a different world, the home team would be coming into this on the back of dramatic victories against Atletico Madrid and Valencia that see them sitting level on points with 17th placed Celta. In their 3-3 draw with Atleti, in which they were 3-0 down at the RCDE Stadium, one of Atletico’s goals was dubiously given as it wasn’t entirely clear the whole ball crossed the line, whilst last weekend, at Mestalla, Espanyol conceded a second-half stoppage-time equaliser to Samuel Lino to seal their fate.
Those two knife-edge moments mean that they have been relegated in 19th placed for the second time in their last three La Liga campaigns and they have, despite an improvement in performances, managed just one win in five games.
Almeria
Last season, Almeria gained automatic promotion to the top-flight for the first time since their relegation at the end of the 2014/15 campaign. The Andalusians would have viewed survival by any means as a success this season and, heading into the final round of fixtures, they do sit outside of the bottom three and the relegation places. However, they are a part of a six-team fight to avoid the final relegation spot alongside Espanyol and Elche.
Under the management of former Espanyol and Real Betis coach Rubi, Almeria begin this final day sitting a point outside of the bottom three and 18th placed Real Valladolid. Their most recent outing was a goalless draw with the aforementioned Valladolid, last weekend. That was the third successive match in which a BTTS – NO bet would have won, which followed a run of ten matches in which both teams scoring in an Almeria game.
With 40 points in 37 matches, Almeria would have presumed their survival in the top-flight was confirmed with a few weeks of the season to go, especially given they are only ten points off a European spot but such is the competitive nature of this season’s La Liga, they will head into the final day with a lot of trepidation.
THE PREDICTION
It is quite a bizarre existence being an Espanyol supporter. In the shadow of your city rivals, Barcelona, who won the league on the pitch at the RCDE Stadium last month, and with very little to shout about moving up the table. Yet when a relegation occurs, and the chance to feel something, it remains a dark day in the club's history. They face an Almeria side that will be relegated if they lose, Celta get anything against Barcelona and Valladolid defeat Getafe at home. However, they will also be aware that the avoidance of defeat will secure their survival. It is, therefore, unlikely that the hosts, with little to prove, manage to get one over on the visitors.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE - ALMERIA TO WIN OR DRAW
