Almeria-Barcelona is a match of the thirty-sixth day of La Liga and is played Thursday at 9:30 pm: odds, predictions, live TV and streaming.
Barcelona took no particular risks in the last day’s postponement with Real Sociedad, settled thanks to goals – one in each half – from teenager Lamine Yamal and Brazilian Raphinha (2-0). A success that allowed Xavi’s team to take advantage of Girona’s misstep and retake second place. This remained the blaugrana’s only goal in an overall disappointing season.
The Catalans failed to defend the title they won last year, losing in both the first leg and the return leg to the Blancos, who got the better of them in the Spanish Super Cup final as well. In the Champions League, things have not been any better: the elimination in the quarterfinals with PSG, “decided” by the wretched sending off of defender Araujo, still stings. Too many ups and downs for a Barcelona that struggled in ball possession – it conceded 21 more goals than Real Madrid – and was rarely continuous in terms of results. Finishing behind the Merengues has its reason, however, as the second place allows them to play in the next Super Cup, which has now become a Final Four. In the away match with bottom-of-the-table Almeria Xavi and his men should not fail: the Andalusians have barely collected 17 points and are already with their minds on the next Segunda Division championship. Pepe Mel’s team, however, doesn’t seem to be in the mood for gifts: a week ago they gave Betis a scare, while in the previous round they got the better of Rayo Vallecano.
The prediction
Barcelona is unlikely to let second place slip away after regaining it. Against last-place and already relegated Almeria, the three points should come without a problem: at least three goals total.
The probable lineups of Almeria-Barcelona
ALMERIA (4-2-3-1): Maximiano; Pubill, Montes, Chumi, Centelles; Edgar, Robertone; Baptistao, Viera, Embarba; Lozano.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Fermin Lopez, Christensen, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
