Almeria vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-18 17:30.
Vicente Moreno’s first La Liga (LL) game in charge of AlmerĂa ended in disappointment as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Rayo Vallecano, meaning they haven’t won any of their last six top-flight league openers (D3, L3). Both goals conceded were first-half penalties and even the introduction of Sergio Arribas, signed this summer from opponents Real Madrid, couldn’t change their fortunes.
Another two recent arrivals, goalkeeper LuĂs Maximiano and centre-forward Ibrahima KonĂ©, could feature here as the Rojiblancos welcome Madrid to the Power Horse Stadium having won just one of the seven LL H2Hs here (D2, L4). However, last season they didn’t lose consecutive home league fixtures, so both new signings will be keen to help the club uphold that record in front of their own fans.
No Karim Benzema or Thibaut Courtois, but no problem for Madrid, who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to get their 2023/24 LL campaign up and running, with new signing Jude Bellingham on the scoresheet. After moving swiftly to bring goalkeeper Kepa in on a loan deal from Chelsea to cover for the injured Courtois, Madrid’s new-look squad is taking shape.
There’ll be more changes for their second road trip of the season because like Courtois, centre-back Éder Militão has suffered a serious knee injury and is expected to miss the entire campaign. That’s a huge blow for Los Blancos, who are bidding to make it three LL away wins in a row, with both previous victories seeing them net exactly twice and their first goal in the game arrive in the 28th or 29th minute!
Players to watch: AlmerĂa’s Largie Ramazani opened the scoring in this fixture last term and all three of his LL goals last season were his side’s first of the game. Bellingham’s strike for Madrid against Athletic was his ninth consecutive goalscoring appearance for club and country in which he ended up on the winning side.
Hot stat: There’s been a red card shown in three of Madrid’s last four LL away games (W2, L2).