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

Los Che recorded a 3-0 victory over Atletico at Mestalla last weekend, while Almeria, who are bottom of the table on one point, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal.

Match preview

Almeria are one of only two teams - the other being Las Palmas - yet to record a win in La Liga this season, with a record of one draw and four defeats bringing them a single point to sit bottom of the table.

Vicente Moreno's side opened their 2023-24 campaign with back-to-back losses to Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid before claiming a point away to Cadiz at the end of August.

Almeria suffered two more defeats either side of the international break, though, losing 3-2 at home to Celta Vigo before Villarreal beat them 2-1 last weekend.

It is not quite panic stations for La Union, but they only just survived relegation from Spain's top flight last season, finishing 17th in the table, and the early indications are that it could be a tough campaign.

The Andalusian outfit have actually only lost one of their last three league games with Valencia and recorded a 2-1 victory when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding match last term.

Valencia, though, will be full of confidence heading into this game following their three-goal success over Atletico last weekend, with Hugo Duro netting twice in the strong win at Mestalla.

Ruben Baraja's side have won three and lost two of their five league games this season to collect nine points, which has left them up in fifth position in the table.

Valencia won their first two league games of the season against Sevilla and Las Palmas before losing their next two to Osasuna and Alaves, but they were back to winning ways in style after the international break.

Los Che finished 16th in Spain's top flight last term, which was their lowest final position since being relegated to the Segunda Division at the end of the 1985-86 campaign.

As a result, there is plenty of room for improvement this season, and it is a very youthful first-team squad, so the supporters will be feeling a lot better about the club's future.

Almeria La Liga form:

Valencia La Liga form:

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Team News

Almeria will again be without the services of Martin Svidersky due to a long-term knee injury, but the home side are otherwise in good shape heading into this contest.

Head coach Moreno is expected to make changes to the side that started against Villarreal last time out, with Largie Ramazani and Arnau Puigmal potentially being introduced into the side.

Sergio Arribas has made a strong start to the season, finding the back of the net on two occasions, and the 21-year-old will again feature in an advanced area for La Union.

As for Valencia, Gabriel Paulista and Alberto Mari are both out until October with muscular issues, while Dimitri Foulquier remains a doubt with a muscular problem of his own.

Los Che did not pick up any fresh issues against Atletico, though, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle last time out.

Duro netted twice against Diego Simeone's side and will again lead the line, while Sergi Canos is expected to keep hold of his role on the left despite pressure from Diego Lopez.

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Maximiano; Chumi, Montes, Gonzalez, Akieme; Lopy, Puigmal; Ramazani, Melero, Arribas; Suarez

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Correia; Mosquera, Diakhaby, Gaya; Pepelu, Guerra; Perez, Almeida, Canos; Duro

We say: Almeria 1-2 Valencia

Valencia played some excellent football against Atletico last time out, and we are backing Los Che to shade a close contest on Saturday. Almeria have a talented squad, but they are finding it difficult to get going at the moment, which could lead to another defeat this weekend.

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