Almeria vs Barcelona: LaLiga Showdown

4 min readMay 16, 2024

LaLiga Match: Almeria vs Barcelona

Date: 16 May 2024

Kickoff: 2030 Nigeria Time

Venue: Power House Stadium

As the LaLiga season draws to a close, fans are in for an exciting clash on May 16, 2024, at 20:30 Nigeria time, when Almería hosts Barcelona at the Power Horse Stadium. While Barcelona has secured a spot in the Champions League, they aim to consolidate their position in the league standings. Almería, facing relegation, will fight for pride in front of their home crowd.

Almeria vs Barcelona Match Overview

Almería

Position: 20th (17 points)

Goals Scored: 35

Goals Conceded: 70

Recent Form: L-L-D-L-W

Barcelona

Position: 2nd (76 points)

Goals Scored: 75

Goals Conceded: 30

Recent Form: W-L-W-W-L

Barcelona’s title ambitions might be out of reach, but their recent 2–0 victory over Real Sociedad has ensured their Champions League qualification for next season. They sit second in the table, trailing the leaders but comfortably ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Club by 14 points.

Almería, on the other hand, are rooted at the bottom with a dismal season, scoring only 35 goals and conceding 70. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Real Betis, where they narrowly lost 3–2.

Team News

Almería Squad

Goalkeepers: Diego Mariño, Fernando Martínez, Ibrahima, Luís Maximiano, Bruno Alemán

Defenders: Edgar González, Aleksandar Radovanovic, Alejandro Pozo, Marc Pubill, Álex Centelles, Chumi, César Montes, Bruno Langa, Paco Sanz, Carlos Ballestero, Miguel Peñalver

Midfielders: Iddrisu Baba, Lucas Robertone, Dion Lopy, Jonathan Viera, Gonzalo Melero, Sergio Arribas, Marcos Peña

Forwards: Largie Ramazani, Luis Suárez, Adri Embarba, Léo Baptistão, Choco Lozano, Rachad Dhimi, Marko Milovanovic, Luka Romero

Sidelined

Iddrisu Baba — Unknown

Largie Ramazani — Suspended

Coach: Pepe Mel

Barcelona Squad

Goalkeepers: Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña, Ander Astralaga, Diego Kochen, Áron Yaakobishvili

Defenders: João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araújo, Iñigo Martínez, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Hector Fort, Mikayil Faye

Midfielders: Gavi, Pedri, Fermín López, Oriol Romeu, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gündogan, Ángel Alarcón, Marc Casadó, Aleix Garrido, Unai Hernandez, Pau Prim

Forwards: Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, João Félix, Vitor Roque, Lamine Yamal, Pau Victor, Marc Guiu

Sidelined

Frenkie de Jong — Ankle injury

Alejandro Balde — Hamstring

Gavi — ACL knee injury

Ilkay Gündogan — Suspended

Ronald Araújo — Unknown

Coach: Xavi Hernández

Match Analysis

Barcelona’s Strengths and Challenges

Despite missing out on the title, Barcelona’s season has been relatively successful under the guidance of Xavi Hernández. The team has showcased impressive performances, particularly in securing their Champions League spot. With key players like Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 17 goals this season, they pose a significant threat to any defense. However, Barcelona faces challenges due to injuries and suspensions. Key players like Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Ilkay Gündogan are sidelined, which could impact their midfield stability and creativity.

Almería’s Struggles and Opportunities

Almería’s campaign has been a tough one, marked by a series of poor results. Their position at the bottom of the table reflects their struggles in both defense and attack. With 70 goals conceded, their defense has been leaky, and their inability to secure a win at home since May 2023 adds to their woes. Despite this, players like Léo Baptistão and Sergio Arribas have shown glimpses of quality, each scoring six goals this season. Almería’s coach, Pepe Mel, will be looking to these players to inspire an upset against the formidable Barcelona.

Key Players to Watch

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): The Polish striker remains a pivotal figure for Barcelona. His ability to find the back of the net consistently makes him a constant threat. Lewandowski’s experience and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial, especially with several key midfielders absent.

Léo Baptistão (Almería): The forward has been one of the few bright spots for Almería. His scoring ability and knack for being in the right place at the right time will be essential if Almería hopes to breach Barcelona’s defense.

Historical Context

The last encounter between these two sides was a thrilling 3–2 victory for Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in December. Goals from Sergi Roberto and Raphinha secured the win for Barcelona, while Léo Baptistão and Edgar González scored for Almería. This history adds an extra layer of anticipation to the upcoming match, as both teams will be eager to prove themselves.

Betting and Promotions

For those looking to add an extra layer of excitement to this fixture, Africa365 offers an excellent platform to place your bets. As a special promotion for this match, Africa365 is offering a risk-free bet to all new users. This means you can place a bet on the outcome of the game without worrying about losing your money if your prediction doesn’t pan out. Whether you’re backing Barcelona to maintain their strong form or hoping for an Almería upset, Africa365 provides a secure and engaging betting experience.

Conclusion

The clash between Almería and Barcelona promises to be an intriguing contest, filled with drama and excitement. While Barcelona will be looking to solidify their second-place finish, Almería will be fighting for pride and a chance to end their season on a high note. Don’t miss out on the action, and if you’re feeling lucky, head over to Africa365 to place your risk-free bet on the match. Enjoy the game and may the best team win!