Almeria Atl. Madrid prediction 2023-01-15 and betting tips

Almeria vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-01-14 15:15.
Almería are searching for their first win since the mid-season break (D1, L1) following last Sunday’s disappointing 2-0 La Liga (LL) defeat to Real Sociedad. Although they finished the last matchday in 14th place, only two points separated them from the relegation zone so losing form now could severely damage their bid to stay in the top flight following promotion last term.

Encouragingly though, they’re four points better off after 16 games than they were in 2013/14, the last LL campaign in which they avoided the drop. That owes plenty to a solid home record (W5, L3), including four straight league wins here prior to Sociedad’s arrival, and considering three of those victories saw Almería leading ‘to nil’ at half-time, another good start here could be key.

Atlético Madrid’s frustrating season continued as they lost 1-0 to Barcelona last Sunday in another bad-tempered affair – five red cards have now been dished out in their last two LL matches (W1, L1)! Loaning out João Félix to Chelsea may improve squad harmony, but Atlético need results fast as a run of one win in five LL matches (D1, L3) has left them outside the top four.

They’ve been linked with Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, who could reignite their flailing campaign, though their immediate concerns are likely with trying to avoid losing three consecutive league away games for the first time since December 2021. They’d therefore likely take a repeat of their 1-0 win on their last visit here, when the winner was scored by Miranda, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

Players to watch: If Almería are to capitalise on Atlético’s tendency to start slowly, Gonzalo Melero could be key as he’s opened the scoring in two of their last six LL games. They’ll then need to watch out for Atlético’s Antoine Griezmann however, as all five of his LL goals this term came in the second half on the road.

Hot stat: Almería have scored during both halves in only one LL game this term.