Almeria - Villarreal CF predictions and free betting tips [21/04/2024]

On Sunday, 21 April, as part of the 32nd round of the Spanish Primera, Almeria will host Villarreal. The hosts are rooted at the bottom of the league table, 14 points from the safe zone, while the Yellow Submarine sits ninth, eight points adrift of the European places

Almeria

Almeria's chances of remaining in the Primera for another season are practically zero with a 14-point deficit against 17th placed Celta, although mathematically their relegation is still not sealed. The task is compounded by the fact that La Union has only won once in La Liga - against Las Palmas in mid-March (0:1). After this victory, the Andalusians were humiliatingly defeated at home by Osasuna (0:3), and in the previous round held a draw with Real Sociedad (2:2), despite being down a man towards the end. This was decided by a brace from Adrí Embarba. It probably won't surprise anyone that Almeria has the worst home record this season: the team has only earned eight points in 15 home games, scoring 14 goals and conceding 28.

Melero will miss Sunday's game due to suspension, as will Serbian players Milovanovic (1 goal in 11 matches) and Radovanovic (7 matches in La Liga) due to injuries. Luis Suarez (4 goals in the league) will also miss the match having broken his fibula for the second time this season. Embarba (3 goals this season) scored twice against Real Sociedad last weekend and deservedly takes his place at the spearhead of the attack with Ramazani (3 goals, 5 assists) and Real Madrid loanee Arribas (6 goals in La Liga) providing support. All in all, head coach Mel is unlikely to make significant changes to his starting line-up compared to the last round.

Villarreal

The Yellow Submarine took its sweet time to regain its former form, but it seems that the visitors are back on track and may even aspire to a European ticket, especially since Betis and Valencia are playing each other the day before. Sitting in 9th place in the table, Villarreal pulled out a courageous draw in Bilbao last round, conceding a penalty in the first half (1:1). Prior to that, the visitors had lost at home to Atletico Madrid (1:2) and suffered their only defeat since mid-January – against Las Palmas (3:0). Marcelino's men are hence in excellent form, having gone nine league games in a row without a defeat (5 wins, 4 draws). The team's away results are also impressive: 20 points in 15 encounters (sixth best in the league), with 23 goals scored and 28 conceded.

Two players from the Yellow Submarine will be suspended in Almeria: these are midfielder Santi Comezana (2 goals in the league) and experienced defender Albiol (yellow card accumulation). In addition, the club's infirmary houses Pino, Bailey, Denis Suarez, Argentine Foyt and Frenchman Coquelin. Gerard Moreno (10 goals, 4 assists), who missed a penalty against Athletic Bilbao, hasn't scored since beating Barcelona (3:5) on 27 January. Sorloth (14 goals, 5 assists in La Liga), Morales (6 goals) and Guedes will support the Spanish forward on the attack flanks, while Aissa Mandi will appear in the centre of defence. Etienne Capoue should replace Comezana in the holding zone, with experienced Dani Parejo pairing with him.

Head-to-Head

Villarreal has won three consecutive La Liga games against Almeria, while the hosts haven't beaten the Submarine since May 2010.

Prediction for the Almeria – Villarreal Match

Villarreal desperately needs to take all three points to close the gap on the European places. The visitors should have no trouble up against bottom-placed Almeria, who have only won a single game this season. In addition, the Yellow Submarine is in great shape, having gone nine rounds without a defeat. My prediction is a victory for the favourite by a margin of 1-2 goals.