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

The hosts will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, while Almeria, who are still without a league success this term, suffered a 3-0 loss to Alaves in their last game at this level.

Match preview

Valencia entered last weekend's La Liga clash with Atletico off the back of four straight wins over Rayo Vallecano, Villarreal, Cadiz and Athletic Bilbao, but they were unable to continue their excellent run, suffering a 2-0 loss to Diego Simeone's side at Wanda Metropolitano.

Los Che are still in a strong position in the La Liga table, though, picking up 32 points from their 22 matches to sit eighth, just four points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad.

Ruben Baraja's side have picked up 20 points from their 10 home league games this season and will certainly have their eyes on a European spot in Spain's top flight.

Valencia finished down in 16th position in La Liga last season, which proved to be their joint-worst final spot since being relegated at the end of the 1985-86 campaign.

Los Che last claimed fourth in 2018-19, and while that position will be beyond them this season, a return to Europe for the 2024-25 campaign would represent an hugely successful season for what is a young squad.

Almeria, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 3-0 home reverse to Alaves, which left them rock bottom of the table, boasting just six points from their 22 matches this term.

La Union are still waiting for their first league win of the season, and they are 11 points from the safety of 17th position, which is concerning considering their points total after 22 games.

Almeria have the worst defensive record in Spain's top flight this season, conceding 49 times, including six in their last two matches, but they came so close to picking up a positive result against Real Madrid in their last away game, leading 2-0 at Bernabeu before suffering a last-gasp 3-2 loss.

Gaizka Garitano's side will need to put together an extraordinary run in order to escape the bottom three, but they have some very tough games ahead, facing Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid in two of their next three matches after this one.

UDA are actually unbeaten in their last three La Liga games with Valencia, including a 2-2 draw earlier this season, but they have not won at Mestalla in Spain's top flight since October 2013.

Valencia La Liga form:

D

W

W

W

W

L

Valencia form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

W

L

Almeria La Liga form:

D

L

L

D

L

L

Team News

Valencia have signed attacker Peter on loan from Real Madrid, and there is a chance that the 21-year-old could be in the squad for this weekend's clash with the division's basement side.

Gabriel Paulista has now left, though, terminating his contract at Mestalla in order to join Atletico Madrid, so the club are a first-team defender down, while Sergi Canos and Andre Almeida are out through injury.

Valencia are also still without the services of Mouctar Diakhaby due to his involvement with Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations, so it is likely that Cenk Ozkacar will feature in the middle of the defence here.

As for Almeria, Anthony Lozano agreed a loan switch to the club from Getafe on transfer deadline day, and he is bidding to be involved in the squad for this clash.

Luka Romero has also arrived on loan from AC Milan, while experienced centre-back Aleksandar Radovanovic has moved to the club on a free transfer, and both players are also expected to be in the squad on Saturday.

Luis Suarez remains unavailable for selection, while Ibrahima Kone is a major doubt, but the visitors will be able to welcome Largie Ramazani back into their squad, with the forward available after serving a suspension in the home loss to Alaves last time out.

Sergio Akieme has left Almeria, though, with the left-back making the move to French outfit Reims, so there will have to be a change at the back for this contest.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Gaya; Guillamon, Pepelu; Perez, Guerra, D Lopez; Duro

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Maximiano; Pubill, Montes, Chumi, Centelles; Lopy, E Gonzalez; Arribas, Robertone, Baptistao; Ramazani

We say: Valencia 1-0 Almeria

Almeria's winless run in La Liga is going to end at some stage, and they are capable of causing the better sides in the division problems, as shown against Real Madrid. Valencia will be determined to return to winning ways on Saturday, though, and we are expecting them to secure all three points.

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