| Real Madrid vs Almería | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Real Madrid vs Almería
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COMPETITION :
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La Liga
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| DATE: |
21-01-2024
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TIME:
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08.45 PM IST (UTC +5:30)
07.15 PM UAE
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STADIUM
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Santiago Bernabéu
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Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Maximiano; Pubill, Montes, Chumi, Akieme; Arribas, Robertone, Gonzalez, Lopy, Embarba; Ramazani
In a captivating showdown between teams positioned at opposite poles of the league hierarchy, Real Madrid, currently occupying the second spot in La Liga, is gearing up to host Almeria, the team languishing at the bottom, at the renowned Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday.
Real Madrid, boasting 48 points from 19 games, has a golden opportunity to ascend to the top of the league table with a win in this match, given their game in hand over Girona, who currently holds 49 points. However, their impressive 22-game unbeaten streak across all competitions came to a halt on Thursday as they faced a 4-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey round of 16. Joselu's late 82nd-minute strike forced the match into extra time, where Atletico clinched a memorable victory with a goal in each half.
In contrast, Almeria arrives at this clash without a victory in their last 10 games across all competitions. Their most recent La Liga fixture saw them settling for a goalless draw against Girona. Struggling in the league with no wins in 20 games, Almeria faces a daunting task against the formidable capital club.
Key Numbers and Head-to-Head:
The historical encounters between the two teams, totaling 15 since 2007, have all taken place in La Liga. Real Madrid has asserted dominance with 12 victories, while Almeria has managed only one win, and two matches concluded in draws.
Real Madrid's remarkable winning streak against Almeria extends to seven games, including a 3-1 away triumph in the reverse fixture in August.
Almeria's away woes are pronounced, having suffered nine consecutive defeats in La Liga away games this season.
The defensive disparity between the teams is striking, with Almeria holding the undesirable title of the league's worst defensive record, conceding 43 goals in 20 games. Real Madrid, on the other hand, boasts the best defensive record, having conceded a mere 11 goals in 19 games. This stark contrast sets the stage for an intriguing and potentially one-sided clash between the two sides.