Preview: Almeria vs. Real Betis - prediction, team news, lineups

Manuel Pellegrini's side will enter the contest off the back of a 4-3 home loss to Celta Vigo, while Almeria suffered a 2-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in their last game in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

Almeria, who are the reigning Segunda Division champions, suffered a 2-0 loss to Rayo on Monday night, with an own goal from Rodrigo Ely and Alvaro Garcia effort seeing the home side emerge victorious.

The result left Rubi's side in 14th position in the table, boasting 22 points from their 20 matches, three points clear of 19th-placed Cadiz on the same number of games.

Almeria's home form this season has been excellent, picking up 19 points from their 10 matches, boasting a record of six wins, one draw and three defeats.

Only Barcelona (26), Real Madrid (21) and Athletic Bilbao (20) have collected more points at home than Almeria this term, and whether they avoid relegation this term is likely to depend on their form in front of their own supporters, as La Union have struggled away, picking up just three points from 10 matches.

Rojiblancos suffered a 3-1 loss when they travelled to Real Betis for the reverse game earlier this season, but they beat the Seville outfit 3-2 when the two teams last locked horns in Almeria in May 2014.

Real Betis, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six games in all competitions during a disappointing run of form, including three of their last four in La Liga against Espanyol, Barcelona and Celta.

Pellegrini's side were eliminated by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup and then Osasuna in the Copa del Rey last month before returning to league action with a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol.

The Green and Whites returned to winning ways away to Getafe on January 28, but they have lost their last two in Spain's top flight against Barcelona and Celta.

Pellegrini's team welcomed Celta to Estadio Benito Villamarin last Saturday, and a pulsating contest saw the hosts lose 4-3, with Gabri Veiga scoring twice during a strong performance in Seville.

Real Betis have dropped down into seventh position in the table, but they are only four points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on the same number of matches (20), so a victory this weekend would put them firmly back in contention for the top four entering a key stage of the campaign.

Almeria La Liga form:

D

L

D

D

W

L

Real Betis La Liga form:

D

W

L

W

L

L

Real Betis form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

L

L

Team News

Almeria have no injury concerns entering this match, but the home side will be missing both Lucas Robertone and Leo Baptistao through suspension due to the yellow cards that the pair picked up against Rayo.

Arnau Puigmal could come in for Robertone in midfield, while Portillo is likely to feature in place of Baptistao.

El Bilal Toure is also pushing for a return to the starting XI, and the 21-year-old, who has scored four league goals this season, could be introduced in the final third of the field.

As for Real Betis, William Carvalho will again miss out through suspension, while Luiz Felipe is banned due to the red card that he picked up against Celta last time out.

Nabil Fekir, meanwhile, is also suspended due to the booking that he collected in the team's last match.

Edgar Gonzalez is set to be given the nod in the middle of the defence, with Ayoze Perez potentially coming into the side to replace Fekir.

Abner is also likely to return to the XI at left-back, but Carvalho's absence could see Andres Guardado retain his spot in the middle of the park alongside Guido Rodriguez.

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Akieme; Puigmal, Costa, Melero; Portillo, Toure, Embarba

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Abner; Rodriguez, Guardado; Canales, Perez, Juanmi; Iglesias

We say: Almeria 1-1 Real Betis

Real Betis will be hoping to bounce back in this match, and they have won four times on their travels in the league this season. Almeria's home record this term has been excellent, though, so we are finding it difficult to back an away victory, instead settling on a low-scoring draw at Power Horse Stadium.

Previews by email