With Barcelona hosting Getafe on Tuesday evening, Real Madrid could once again be five points behind the La Liga leaders by the time they take to the field to face Almeria on Wednesday.
Los Blancos beat Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday to close the gap to two points, but games are running out and the current leaders certainly have the more favourable set of fixtures.
Real Madrid
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Real Madrid will not expect any favours from their capital rivals Getafe, who travel to Barcelona on Tuesday evening. As mentioned, victory for Barca would once again leave Real Madrid five points off the pace and put the pressure straight back on Carlo Ancelotti's team. Injuries have hit Los Blancos at the wrong time of the season, but they are still fighting on two fronts in the final weeks.
They booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League after overcoming Atletico Madrid last week and there is no question that they will fancy moving past Juventus in the final four to make another European final. In the league, they still have ground to make up, but they have won each of their five matches since losing at Barcelona.
That strong run of form has seen Real Madrid score 21 times and concede just four, but after this game, they face Sevilla and Valencia in back-to-back matches. Ancelotti's side have the harder set of fixtures and at the very least, will need help from Atletico Madrid in the penultimate match of the season if they are to stop Barcelona reclaiming the league crown. Incredibly, despite securing a Copa del Rey and Champions League double last season, Ancelotti is under huge pressure in Madrid.
In total, Real Madrid have won 26 of their 33 league games this season, drawing just once and losing six times. Unsurprisingly, they have been very strong at home – winning 14 of their 16 games and losing just once. Their further five defeats have come on the road, which has proved their Achilles heel, with Barcelona only suffering two losses on their travels this term.
The hosts will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 win over Celta Vigo, however, with Javier Hernandez continuing his strong run of form with two goals. There were defensive deficiencies, but Real Madrid's ability to score goals, whoever they have on the field, is constant. Indeed, they are currently on 99 league goals for the season and will fancy moving past 100 in this one.
Last season, Real Madrid finished third on 87 points – level with second-placed Barcelona and three points behind the winners Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos could post a similar total this time around, but the race for the title is not in their own hands.
Recent form: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWW
Almeria
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La Liga strugglers Almeria had arguably their biggest game of the season at the weekend and they came through the test with flying colours as they beat Eibar 2-0 to move out of the relegation zone. It is still awfully tight at the bottom of the table, but as it stands, they are two points clear of 18th-placed Deportivo La Coruna and six ahead of Granada, who are in 19th position.
Almeria are, of course, still in the relegation battle, which realistically includes seven teams, all the way up to Elche in 14th position. Levante have recorded some good results in recent weeks, but Eibar are in free-fall and are seen as the favourites to go down with Cordoba and Granada. Almeria will not fancy their chances at the Bernabeu and it will be interesting to see how they approach the game.
The Spanish club are currently on their second manager of the season, with Sergi Barjuan replacing Juan Ignacio Martinez, who was sacked at the start of this month. Barjuan has overseen four league fixtures and posted two wins – both at home and both against fellow strugglers.
After this game, Almeria have three of their final four league games at home, but they still have to face Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia, which is a horrid run of fixtures when including Real Madrid. Home form is always important, but Almeria have actually been better on the road this season – recording five of their eight league victories on their travels.
In fact, they have won more away league games than Villarreal and just one fewer than Valencia, which is an indication of how poor they have been at home. Just three league wins have arrived in front of their own supporters, but as mentioned, they have won their last two on home turf.
They will also enter this match having lost each of their last five away league games – scoring just one goal in the process. In truth, it would take a minor miracle for them to cause a surprise in the Spanish capital and they will hope that the teams below them also drop points during the week.
Recent form: LLLWLW
Team News
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Real Madrid will still be without injured trio Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema for the clash at the Bernabeu, but the latter is said to be closing on a first-team return. The same cannot be said for Modric and Bale, who are still facing an extended period on the sidelines.
Los Blancos will also be without Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos, who both picked up bookings in the latter stages of their victory at Celta. Ancelotti will therefore be forced into changes, with Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe expected to start in defence alongside Raphael Varane and Marcelo.
Ancelotti also has a decision to make in midfield, with Asier Illarramendi struggling for form. Lucas Silva is the obvious replacement, while Jese Rodriguez is also desperate for minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo, who would miss the Sevilla game if he picks up a booking against Almeria, and Hernandez, however, are likely to remain as the most advanced duo.
Almeria, meanwhile, will be without both Thievy Bifouma and Wellington Silva through suspension, but Sebastian Dubarbier has now served his ban and should return.
Fernando Soriano, Michel and Fran Velez remain on the sidelines, leaving head coach Barjuan with little room for manoeuvre when it comes to freshening his team.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Silva, Kroos, Isco; James, Hernandez, Ronaldo
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Ruben; Dubarbier, Trujillo, Mauro, Ximo; Verza, Thomas, Corona; Espinosa; Hemed, Zongo
Head To Head
Real Madrid extended their winning streak to 20 games in all competitions earlier this season with a thumping 4-1 win away at Almeria. Isco, Bale and Ronaldo were all on the scoresheet for the capital side, who ran riot in front of 15,000 supporters at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.
The corresponding league match last season also proved to be comfortable for Real Madrid, with goals from Angel di Maria, Bale, Isco and Alvaro Morata securing a 4-0 victory. Worryingly for Almeria, they have conceded 21 goals in their last four league meetings with Real Madrid.
We say: Real Madrid 3-1 Almeria
On paper, it should be a thumping Real Madrid win, but Los Blancos are missing key players and it might well be a bitty affair for long spells. That said, it is difficult to see anything other than a home win, with Real Madrid keeping their noses in the title race.
It would not be a surprise to see Almeria snatch a goal at some point, but Real Madrid will simply have too much in the final third.
Matt Law
