Preview: Almeria - Espanyol

Posted Friday, April 23, 2010 by Goal.com

Relegation could yet be a possibility for either of these sides should they suffer defeat, so expect a tense affair...

Kick Off: Sunday, April 25, 2010. 17:00 CET
Estadio del Mediterraneo, Almeria

Heating Up

Both Almeria and Espanyol are locked together in La Primera Division on 38 points, and in order to avoid a tense conclusion to the campaign, both will be after the win at the Estadio del Mediterraneo when they meet early on Sunday evening.

Juan Manuel Lillo took charge of the southern club during the winter break and initially seemed destined to steer them comfortably away from the relegation zone, but after winning two points from a possible 15, Almeria are now only six points away from 18th-placed Tenerife.

Admittedly Lillo’s side haven’t enjoyed the easiest run of fixtures in recent times, with defeats coming against Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, as well as Osasuna. Last weekend they got back on track to some extent with a scoreless draw against off-form Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor, and that will have gone some way to boosting confidence ahead of Sunday’s tricky home encounter.

The form of the team has declined in recent times, but there has also been some bad news with regard to player availability this week as it was revealed on Tuesday that Hernan Dario Pellerano has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and faces several months on the sidelines.

With adversity starting to mount, it’s best that Almeria respond as quickly as they can manage.

Derby Contentment

Espanyol enjoyed something of a breakthrough match against Barcelona at the Cornella-El Prat last weekend, stifling the champions and picking up a 0-0 draw in the process. Los Periquitos were fired up for their derby affair and might have actually defeated their great rivals had Pablo Daniel Osvaldo’s effort first half effort been directed just inside the post instead of onto the face of it.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino was certainly pleased by what he saw against Barca, telling the press after the game: “Opposite us were the best team in the world. It was a titanic struggle and there was enormous pressure.

“Our team deserves credit. I don't remember the last time Barcelona had so few shots on goal.”

The premise of Espanyol’s tactical setup was to quickly shut down Barcelona’s midfield, preventing the likes of Xavi or Lionel Messi getting any time on the ball – essentially a blueprint for the performance of Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Sunday’s match against Almeria will be an altogether different affair. Their hosts won’t be so incessantly attacking, and Espanyol won’t be backed by a vociferous home support.

On the road, Espanyol have not had their troubles to seek this season, picking up only eight points and scoring a pitiful eight goals, though these strikes have been increasing in regularity since the beginning of spring.

Just six points above the drop zone, more points will be greedily welcomed, no matter how they are accrued.

FORM GUIDE

Almeria

DREW 0-0 (a) Deportivo La Coruna (Liga, April 18)

LOST 2-1 (h) Real Madrid (Liga, April 15)

LOST 4-1 (a) Athletic Bilbao (Liga, April 11)

DREW 1-1 (h) Mallorca (Liga, April 4)

LOST 1-0 (a) Osasuna (Liga, March 28)

Espanyol

DREW 0-0 (h) Barcelona (Liga, April 17)

LOST 3-1 (a) Racing Santander (Liga, April 14)

WON 3-0 (h) Atletico Madrid (Liga, April 11)

DREW 1-1 (h) Getafe (Liga, April 4)

DREW 0-0 (h) Sporting de Gijon (Liga, March 28)

TEAM NEWS

Almeria

Hernan Dario Pellerano’s season has been ended by a serious knee injury, and it would be something of a surprise to see him on the field of play before 2010 is up. Additionally, Chico will miss out, though he is back training with the squad once again.

There is better news regarding Henok Goitom, who could return to the group after suffering from injury.

Finally, Albert Crusat is banned after crossing the suspension threshold.

Probable Starting XI: Diego Alves; Michel, Pellerano, Acasiete, Guilherme; M’Bami, Bernardello; Ortiz, Corona, Piatti; Uche

Espanyol

Goalkeeper Carlos Kameni had his red card against Racing Santander rescinded so he took his place in the squad to face Barca last weekend, and he will of course retain the No.1 berth on Sunday.

Fernando Marques will be fit to return on Sunday as he trained fully with the squad on Tuesday.

Further good news comes in the form of Ivan de la Pena, who appears to be closing in on a return to first team football after an absence of around three months.

Raul Baena is banned, however.

Probable Starting XI: Kameni; Chica, Pareja, Ruiz, Didac; Moises, Forlin; Marques, Callejon, L. Garcia; Osvaldo

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Almeria

For a period after the Africa Cup of Nations, Kalu Uche was reduced to the role of a substitute, but he has since battled his way back into the Almeria first team. In recent weeks he has impressed too, picking up two goals, one assist and two man of the match awards in his last five games. If he can maintain his bright form, it’s unlikely Almeria will be sucked much deeper into trouble.

Espanyol

Fernando Marques was starting to make a regular impression in the starting XI before he was struck down recently with a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old right-sided player will want to get back into the groove as quickly as possible come Sunday and will be aiming for the kind of match he mustered against Sevilla on March 20, when he created both goals in a 2-0 success.

PREDICTION

Almeria tend to do a little better at home than they do on the road, while Espanyol’s blues when travelling are well established. There are signs that the Barcelona club are improving away from the Cornella-El Prat, but they will probably settle for a draw in Sunday’s encounter, which is liable to be a tense, low scoring affair.

Almeria 0-0 Espanyol