Villarreal's Away Prowess to Overcome Almeria's Survival Fight
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Almeria and Villarreal as they prepare to lock horns at the Power Horse Stadium on Sunday afternoon. For the home side, it’s a battle for La Liga survival, while the visitors are firmly focused on securing European qualification for next season.
Almeria’s Uphill Climb
Rooted to the bottom of the league table with a measly 14 points from 31 games, Almeria’s plight is looking increasingly desperate. A staggering 14 points adrift of safety, Pepe Mel’s men are in dire need of a miracle to preserve their top-flight status.
However, the recent arrival of the experienced Mel has provided a glimmer of hope, with the 61-year-old steadying the ship and guiding his side to four points from a possible nine. Their most recent outing, a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad, showcased the team’s fighting spirit, as Adri Embarba’s 88th-minute penalty salvaged a point.
Villarreal’s European Dream
While Almeria are scrapping for survival, Villarreal’s ambitions are set firmly on securing continental football for next season. Currently occupying ninth place, the Yellow Submarine are eight points behind seventh-placed Valencia in the race for Europe.
Under the tutelage of Marcelino, Villarreal have enjoyed a solid campaign, with their away form being particularly impressive. Unbeaten in their last five road trips, the visitors have collected an impressive 20 points from 15 away games this season.
Recent history also favors Villarreal, as they’ve secured three consecutive wins against Almeria in La Liga, with their last defeat coming way back in May 2010.
Team News and Potential Line-ups
Almeria will be without the services of Marko Milovanovic, Luis Suarez, Aleksandar Radovanovic, and the suspended Gonzalo Melero. Mel could field the same XI that faced Real Sociedad, with Embarba and Leo Baptistao leading the line.
For Villarreal, Francis Coquelin, Yeremy Pino, Eric Bailly, Juan Foyth, and Denis Suarez are sidelined through injury, while Santi Comesana and Raul Albiol are suspended. Aissa Mandi and Etienne Capoue are expected to slot into the starting eleven.
Almeria’s possible line-up: Maximiano; Pubill, Chumi, Gonzalez, Langa; Robertone, Lopy; Romero, Viera, Embarba; Baptistao
Villarreal’s possible line-up: Jorgensen; Femenia, Mandi, Mosquera, A Moreno; Traore, Capoue, Parejo, Baena; G Moreno, Sorloth
The Verdict
While Almeria’s fighting spirit is commendable, their precarious position means they can ill-afford any slip-ups. Villarreal, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their impressive away form and recent head-to-head record against their opponents.
With European aspirations on the line, the visitors are likely to approach this clash with renewed determination, and their quality should ultimately prevail. A hard-fought away victory for Villarreal seems to be the most probable outcome, further denting Almeria’s survival hopes.
Predicted Score: Almeria 1-2 Villarreal