Segunda Division promotion hopefuls Almeria will entertain La Liga strugglers Alaves on Saturday in a Copa del Rey clash that could see sparks fly.
Almeria are currently in excellent form, having won six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Alaves, on the other hand, come into this tie on the back of a dismal league run that has seen them win just once in six outings.
Match preview
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In light of their torrid form in recent weeks, Alaves finally opted for a change in management, sacking boss Pablo Machin following their loss to Cadiz on the weekend.
Machin's exit paved the way for the return of Abelardo, who previously managed the club from 2017 to 2019, winning just 28 of his 69 games in charge.
Regardless of Abelardo's past results, the Alaves hierarchy clearly thinks the man from Gijon is their best bet in these troubling times.
On the field, Alaves have been making the most of their Copa del Rey experience this season. However, it could be said that El Glorioso were fortunate to win their clash with Deportivo La Coruna, having bested them by just a single goal.
Abelardo will certainly be looking to make more of an impact in his first game back in charge of the side.
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Home-side Almeria look to be enjoying life far more than their opponents coming into this tie.
The Andalusians are practically setting the Segunda Division alight at the moment, eager to march back into the top flight of Spanish football for the first time in over five years.
Although, after convincingly beating L'Hospitalet 4-1 in the first round of the Copa del Rey, Jose Manuel Gomes's side weathered a scare against Numancia, only winning the game 2-1 in added time.
Almeria Copa del Rey form: WW
Almeria form (all competitions): WWWLWW
Alaves Copa del Rey form: WW
Alaves form (all competitions): LWDLWL
Team News
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One of the key reasons why Gomes has enjoyed such success in the Segunda Division this season is because of his ability to rotate his squad and rest key players in certain games.
It will be interesting to see whether the boss makes any changes going into this tie but it is likely he will favour continued success in the league instead of a good cup run.
In terms of absentees, Gomes has no fresh injury concerns to contend with.
As for Alaves, Abelardo is likely to field a strong team in his first game back in charge of El Glorioso, so key players like Fernando Pacheco, Victor Laguardia, Joselu and Lucas Perez could all feature.
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Fernando; Bunuel, Chumi, Peybernes, Akieme; Petrovic, de la Hoz, Ramazani, Robertone, Villalba; Fernandez
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Aguirregabiria, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Jota, Battaglia, Pina, Rioja; Joselu, Deyverson
We say: Almeria 0-2 Alaves
With Almeria likely to play a weakened team and Abelardo likely to go in all guns blazing on his return to the club, we think Alaves will have what it takes to progress to the next round of the competition.
Top betting tip
Francis Buchanan
