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

Rubi's side were 1-0 winners over the league leaders on Sunday night, while Villarreal ended a four-game losing streak by recording a 2-1 victory over Getafe last time out.

Match preview

Almeria came up with one of the shock results of the season last Sunday when they recorded a 1-0 win over Barcelona, with El Bilal Toure on the scoresheet against Xavi's side, who had been looking to bounce back from their Europa League exit to Manchester United.

The result moved La Union onto 25 points, which has left them in 15th position in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone with 15 games left to play this term.

Almeria's home form this season is likely to be crucial when it comes to potentially staying in the division, and they have the fourth-best record in front of their own fans this season, picking up 22 points from 12 matches, which is just three fewer points than Real Madrid have secured at Bernabeu.

Rubi's team are bidding to make it back-to-back seasons at this level of football for the first time since 2015, and the victory over Barcelona came after a run of three straight losses in Spain's top flight.

Rojiblancos suffered a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in the reverse match earlier this season, but the points were shared in a goalless draw when the two sides last met in Almeria back in March 2015.

Villarreal, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 victory over Getafe, which proved to be their first success in Spain's top flight since January 22.

A run of four straight defeats had seen the Yellow Submarine drop into ninth position in the table, but the success over Getafe last time out saw them rise into seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano.

Quique Setien's team are eight points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, though, so it is very difficult to imagine them challenging for a Champions League finish this term.

Villarreal are still in Europe, meanwhile, preparing to take on Anderlecht in the last-16 stage of the Europa Conference League, with the first leg set to take place on March 9.

The Yellow Submarine have been impressive at home in the league this term, picking up 22 points from 11 matches, but they have found it difficult on their travels, only winning three of 12 games, suffering six defeats in the process.

Almeria La Liga form:

D

W

L

L

L

W

Villarreal La Liga form:

W

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

Almeria are again expected to be missing Gonzalo Melero for this contest through injury, but the home side are otherwise in excellent shape heading into the contest.

As a result, it would not be a surprise to see the same XI that took to the field for the clash with Barcelona, with Toure retaining his spot in the final third of the field alongside Luis Suarez.

Leo Baptistao is expected to be given the nod over Adri Embarba to feature in a wide position, while Inigo Eguaras is likely to keep hold of his starting role in midfield.

As for Villarreal, Manu Trigueros will miss the match through suspension, while Francis Coquelin, Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Jackson are out through injury.

Gerard Moreno was a late substitute against Getafe but is now expected to come into the first XI, with Jose Luis Morales likely to drop down to the bench.

Alex Baena could also come into the starting side in central midfield, with Ramon Terrats set to be named among the substitutes for Saturday's contest.

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Chumi, Ely, Babic, Akieme; Baptistao, De la Hoz, Eguaras, Robertone; Suarez, Toure

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Reina; Foyth, Albiol, P Torres, A Moreno; Chukwueze, Baena, Parejo, Capoue, Pino; G Moreno

We say: Almeria 1-1 Villarreal

Almeria's home form has been so impressive this season, but Villarreal will be determined to prove that they are over their recent run of disappointing results. It would not be a surprise to see a home or indeed an away victory, but we just have a feeling that the points will be shared here.

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