Real Madrid - Almeria predictions and free betting tips [21/01/2024]

On Sunday, January 21, as part of the 21st tour of the Spanish La Liga, Real Madrid will host Almeria on their home ground. On Thursday evening, "Los Blancos" were eliminated from the 1/8 final of the country's Cup, losing 4:2 to Atletico, while Almeria drew 0:0 last weekend with the league leader Girona.

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius.
Almeria: Maximiano; Pubill, Montes, Chumi, Akieme; Arribas, Robertone, Gonzalez, Lopy, Embarba; Ramazani.

Stadium

The match will take place in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Real Madrid

Having defeated Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup (5:3 after extra time) and Barcelona in the final (4:1), Real, after winning the trophy last week, has set its sights on the Copa del Rey. Last Thursday, the Creams met Atletico again in the 1/8 final of the derby, where they suffered their second defeat of the season – 4:2 after extra time, with all goals decided by Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme.

Carlo Ancelotti's first defeat also came at the Wanda Metropolitano in September (3:1). Occupying second place in the La Liga table, Real are one point behind Girona with a game in hand. This campaign, the hosts have won eight and drawn one of nine home matches in the tournament, scored 22 goals and conceded only four (the best indicator). At the Champions League, Madrilenians will meet RB Leipzig at the stage of 1/8 final in February. 

Almeria

Almeria has yet to win a match in La Liga, and the team's relegation from the elite division is just a matter of time. A year ago, Gaishko Garitano's team avoided relegation, finishing 17th, but it is hard to believe in such a feat now. Six draws and 14 losses in 20 rounds brought the visitors only six points, as a result of which they are stuck at the bottom of the table, 10 points behind the safety zone. However, the underdog managed to deal with Girona at home a week ago (0:0), and before that, the Stripes lost decently to Barcelona (3:2) and Osasuna (2:0).

It is unlikely to surprise anyone that Almeria could not achieve success on the road during this campaign, losing nine out of 10 matches away from home, scoring just nine goals and conceding a whopping 25 goals (the worst indicator in the league). The team will travel to Madrid without key player Leo Baptistao (4 goals in the championship), disqualified for too many yellow cards. 

Head-to-Head

Real easily prevailed over Almeria 1:3 in the first round. Moreover, the previous eight head-to-head duels between the teams ended in victories for the Madrilenians.

Match Prediction: Real Madrid vs Almeria

Almeria has not won a single game in La Liga this season, so it is hard to imagine such a team scoring points at the Bernabeu. Real, of course, is worn out by a heavy schedule, but Ancelotti has the option to rotate the midfield and attack lineup. The visitors, on the contrary, have squad problems due to the ongoing African Cup of Nations. I do not expect any surprises here and put on a routine victory for Real with a handicap -2.

Total Prediction

Almeria average 2.5 goals conceded per away game, and in the first round they had to pick the ball out of their own net three times against Real. I'm betting on Real Madrid's individual total over 2.5.

Corner Prediction

The difference between the teams is so great that Real will win with a handicap on all key indicators, including corners (-3.5).

Yellow Cards Prediction

Almeria are inferior to their opponent in class and will equalize this difference with an abundance of fouls. The visitors will win on yellow cards.

Score Prediction

I will bet on an exact score of 3:0 in favour of Real Madrid.