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

Los Che are currently 12th in the La Liga table, boasting 19 points from their opening 16 games of the season, while Almeria occupy 13th, one point behind their opponents in this contest.

Match preview

Valencia have not been in La Liga action since January 6, when they lost at home to Cadiz, which left them on 19 points from 16 matches; Los Che are currently 12th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone, although they have at least one game in hand on every side below them.

Gennaro Gattuso's side were in action in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month, losing to Real Madrid on penalties in the semi-finals, but they did manage to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 4-0 victory over Sporting Gijon last week.

Edinson Cavani scored twice, while Justin Kluivert and Samuel Lino also registered, as Valencia comfortably progressed in the cup, and they have been drawn to face Athletic Bilbao in the final eight.

Los Che have two huge league games against Almeria and Real Valladolid before opening February at home to Real Madrid, and they certainly have the quality to rise up the table in the coming weeks.

Valencia have won their last two La Liga matches against Almeria, including a 3-2 success at Mestalla during the 2014-15 campaign.

Almeria spent seven straight seasons in the Segunda Division before winning the second tier last season, which saw them secure a return to Spain's top flight for the current campaign.

La Union were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Arenteiro at the start of November, so each of their last three matches have been in the league, picking up two points from contests with Cadiz, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

Almeria will enter this game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Atletico last Sunday, with El Bilal Toure cancelling out an opener from Angel Correa, and the result moved the promoted outfit onto 18 points.

Rubi's side are currently 13th in the table, but they are only two points clear of the relegation zone in an incredibly crowded bottom half of the table.

As it stands, there are only four points between Sevilla in 19th and Valencia in 12th, so a couple of poor results could easily see them slide towards the bottom three.

Valencia La Liga form:

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Valencia form (all competitions):

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Almeria La Liga form:

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Team News

Valencia will again be missing Samu Castillejo and Nico Gonzalez through injury, but the home side are otherwise in good shape heading into this contest.

Gattuso has big decisions to make all over the field, as a number of players put in strong performances against Sporting Gijon in the Copa del Rey, including Kluivert, who should start again here.

Cavani netted a brace last time out and is also expected to start, but there should be recalls for the likes of Hugo Guillamon and Eray Comert.

Almeria, meanwhile, have not reported any first-team injuries ahead of this match, so head coach Rubi could have a full squad to choose from.

The promoted outfit have not been in action since the 1-1 draw with Atletico, and due to the nature of the performance, it would not be a shock to see the same XI take to the field here.

Toure is again set to lead the line with support from Leo Baptistao and Adri Embarba in the wide positions, while Lucas Robertone will continue in central midfield for the visitors.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Correia, Comert, Diakhaby, Gaya; Musah, Guillamon, Almeida; Lino, Cavani, Kluivert

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Chumi, Akieme; Robertone, Costa, Melero; Baptistao, Toure, Embarba

We say: Valencia 2-1 Almeria

Almeria have the worst away record in La Liga this season, picking up just two points from eight matches. Valencia have lost four of their nine league fixtures at Mestalla, but we are just siding with Los Che in this encounter, backing Gattuso's side to pick up an important three points.

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