Valladolid vs Almeria prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-09-04 19:00.
Valladolid could not have forgotten their trip to Camp Nou quickly enough (L 0-4), and despite the worries of a 16th consecutive La Liga (LL) match without victory, the mood was upbeat on the training pitch during the week. Zou Feddal and Gonzalo Plata both reportedly completed training sessions and could offer embattled manager Pacheta some extra options against fellow newly-promoted club Almería as they attempt to leave the relegation zone.
Nobody dare remind Pacheta that former Valladolid boss José Luis Mendilibar was sacked following a 1-1 home draw to Almería, although that was deep into the 2009/10 season after a period of just three wins from 20 league outings (D9, L8). They appear to be travelling down a similar path, having failed to score before half-time all LL season, whilst the two contests against Almería in Spain’s Segunda División last season (D1, L1) don’t provide much inspiration.
Almería manager Rubi was understandably desperate to hold onto star Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq, especially after he was Flashscore’s ‘Man of the Match’ during their defeat of Sevilla (2-1) last time out, their first in seven attempts across all competitions. However, the €20m offer from Sociedad was too good to refuse and Rubi now has a big hole to fill to replace the man who scored 12 of their last 33 league goals.
Rubi believed his side deserved to win their opening away trip of the LL season (1-1 at Elche) and will therefore be feeling vindicated by their equal-best start to a LL campaign since 2008/09. After their last 11 wins of the 2021/22 Segunda División were preceded by an opening goal, it was ironic that their maiden victory back in the top flight this season saw them scrap from the unfamiliar position of a 0-1 deficit.
Players to watch: One of Toni Villa’s five goals for Valladolid in the previous season was at home to Almería (2-2). Following first-half goals in their two LL home fixtures, Largie Ramazani’s next task is to add to the two away goals he notched up in the final stretch of Almería’s Segunda División campaign.
Hot stat: Almería have led at the end of both halves in just one of their last seven league games in either division.