La Liga Preview: Almeria - Athletic Bilbao

Kick Off: Sunday, November 29, 17.00 CET
Estadio del Mediterraneo, Almeria

Stuttering Start

Almeria’s rocky start to the season took another dive with a defeat away to Mallorca last weekend. While the Balearic side have started well this season, particularly at home, the manner in which Hugo Sanchez’s team collapsed in the final minutes will have concerned the Mexican coach.

Los Rojiblancos have already been dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Segunda Division side Hercules this season, and have only won three times all season. Their home form has been solid, if a little hard on the eye: Almeria have scored and conceded five times in five games at the Estadio del Mediterraneo.

However, they have a good record against Athletic Bilbao in recent times. They emerged victorious in both matches last season, with Juanma Ortiz playing a key role in both games. Whether they can replicate the feat without Alvaro Negredo remains to be seen.

Return To Form

After one win in eight games from September to October, Joaquin Caparros has turned Athletic Bilbao’s fortunes around and they are now unbeaten in five matches in all competitions. They showed resilience and an excellent work-rate to pick up a draw against Barcelona, and could even have won it if Javi Martinez had scored a simple headed chance.

While los Leones are also out of the Copa del Rey, it could be a blessing in disguise for them. They were placed in the same half of the draw as the likes of Barcelona and Sevilla, and the extra fixtures may have been a distraction from their league and Europa League campaigns.

Sunday’s match is the start of a crucial week for Athletic, as they can secure qualification from their Europa League group against Austria Vienna in midweek before welcoming Valencia to San Mames next weekend. Three points against Almeria would set them up nicely for the games to come.


FORM GUIDE

Almeria

November 22 v Mallorca (A) – LOST 3-1 (La Liga)

November 12 v Hercules (H) – LOST 1-0 (Copa del Rey)

November 8 v Osasuna (H) – WON 2-0 (La Liga)

November 1 v Real Zaragoza (A) – LOST 2-1 (La Liga)

October 28 v Hercules (A) – LOST 2-1 (Copa del Rey)

Athletic Bilbao

November 21 v Barcelona (H) – DREW 1-1 (La Liga)

November 11 v Rayo Vallecano (H) – DREW 2-2 (Copa del Rey)

November 8 v Racing Santander (A) – WON 2-0 (La Liga)

November 5 v Nacional (A) – DREW 1-1 (Europa League)

October 31 v Atletico Madrid (H) – WON 1-0 (La Liga)


TEAM NEWS

Almeria

Fabian Vargas reportedly needs another week to recover from a long-term injury, but Henok Goitom has returned to training after three months out and could feature.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Alves; Ortiz, Chico, Acasiete, Cisma; Bernardello, M’Bami; Nieto, Soriano, Piatti; Uche.

Athletic Bilbao

Gaizka Toquero is ruled out after picking up an ankle injury after a collision with Gorka Iraizoz in training, but young starlet Iker Muniain could return to the first team.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Iraizoz; Iraola, Amorebieta, Ustaritz, Koikili; Muniain, Gurpegui, Javi Martinez, Yeste; Susaeta; Llorente.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pablo Piatti (Almeria)

The diminutive Argentine is usually deployed as a winger, but is also given a licence to roam behind the central striker. His pace and skill on the ball mark him out as a real talent in the Almeria squad, and he could make the difference for them against Athletic.

Markel Susaeta (Athletic Bilbao)

Typically employed on the wing, Caparros has been employing Susaeta as a second striker in recent weeks. The 21-year-old is required to link up the no-nonsense midfield with the main striker, and despite his young age, he is already very experienced and has a good understanding with Fernando Llorente.


PREDICTION

Athletic’s morale will be boosted by last week’s performance against Barcelona. If they go out with the same intensity and spirit against Almeria, they will pick up the three points.

Almeria 1-2 Athletic Bilbao