Duell der Neulinge in Valladolid!
Valladolid welcome Almeria for the duel of the newcomers. The “Blanquivioletas” have not yet arrived in the Spanish top flight: After three rounds of matches they are still waiting for their first win and in the table they only occupy the penultimate place.
The visitors, on the other hand, celebrated their first win on the last matchday. They did so against a heavyweight in the shape of Sevilla.
For the match at the Nuevo Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla between Valladolid and Almeria, the betting is on Largie Ramazani to score for the visitors.
Valladolid – Statistics & current form
The runners-up of La Liga 2 have conceded two defeats and a draw so far. Admittedly, the opening fixture list with teams like Villarreal and Barcelona was a tough one, but the performances of the “Pucelanos” were still disappointing.
This judgement can be made first and foremost for the harmless offensive. They have only scored one goal – only the Andalusian bottom team Cadiz undercuts this very meagre yield with a total offensive failure so far.
Nothing more than a goal by Valladolid?
With this in mind, betting on a maximum of one goal for the home side in the clash between Valladolid and Almeria seems to be profitable.
Coach Pacheta is also currently without several players due to injury. Mickael Malsa from Martinique is missing in midfield and the Ecuadorian international Gonzalo Plata is missing in attack.
Moroccan defender Jawad El Yamiq also picked up a red card in the draw against Sevilla on the penultimate matchday, so he will have to miss out against Almeria for the three-time second division champions.
To make matters worse, goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo recently suffered an injury. The 33-year-old veteran joined the club before the season from Villarreal, where he had kept goal for the “yellow submarine” since 2013. This gives him plenty of experience in the Spanish top flight, but he is currently unable to help the 1984 League Cup winners.
Predicted line-up of Valladolid:
Masip – Perez – Fernandez – Sanchez I. – Escudero – Anuar – Aguado – Monchu – Sanchez J. – Kike – Guardiola Navarro
Last matches played by Valladolid:
La Liga
29/08/2022 – FC Barcelona 4 – 0 Real Valladolid
20/08/2022 – Sevilla FC 1 – 1 Real Valladolid
13/08/2022 – Real Valladolid 0 – 3 FC Villarreal
Friendly club matches
07/08/2022 – Real Valladolid 0 – 0 Lazio Roma
05/08/2022 – Rayo Vallecano 0 – 0 Real Valladolid
Almeria – Statistics & current form
The second division champions, unlike their opponents, already have four points after three matchdays and can be satisfied with their start to the season.
The defeat at the beginning of the season was against the champions Real Madrid, which is why this defeat of “La Unión” can be put into perspective in view of the strength of the opponent.
The offensive has been reliable so far: it has scored at least once in all three league games. One positive aspect for the visitors is that Umar Sadiq continues to be efficient in the top flight.
The Nigeria striker scored 18 goals in the last season of promotion to La Liga and was instrumental in the club’s rise to the top flight.
Sadiq has departed
Now, he has once again proved his scoring prowess: the 25-year-old scored for the “Rojiblancos” in the last two rounds of matches in the draw against Elche and the surprising triumph over Sevilla.
However, he moved to league rivals Real Sociedad last week. After 38 goals for Almeria in the past two seasons in La Liga 2 and already two goals again in the top flight, his departure naturally represents a considerable weakening.
Although a replacement in attack, El Bilal Toure, was immediately signed from Reims in the French Ligue 1, it remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old can fill Sadiq’s gap, not only because of his still youthful age.
Given that and the home side’s weak attack, odds of less than 2.5 goals in the match are also worth considering for the clash between Valladolid and Almeria.
Predicted Almeria line-up:
Martinez – Ely – Babic – Kaiky – Eguaras – Costa – Pozo – Akieme Rodriguez – Robertone – Sadiq – Ramazani
Last matches played by Almeria:
La Liga
28/08/2022 – Almeria 2 – 1 Sevilla FC
23/08/2022 – Elche 1 – 1 Almeria
15/08/2022 – Almeria 1 – 2 Real Madrid
Club friendlies
07/08/2022 – Al Hilal 2 – 1 Almeria
06/08/2022 – Almeria 1 – 0 Cartagena
Valladolid – Almeria Direct comparison / H2H balance
The teams last met head-to-head last April in Valladolid with a 2-2 draw, and the match in the first leg of that season’s La Liga 2 ended with a 3-1 home win for the “Almeriensistas”.
The home side can also count on a home bonus in this match: They have not lost at home to their opponents in eleven matches. Instead, they have recorded five wins and half a dozen draws against “Pucela”.
Valladolid – Almeria Tip
The visitors sold their best goal scorer, Umar Sadiq, to the Basques of Real Sociedad last week. The sale brings in around 20 million euros for UDA, but the offensive of coach Rubi’s team is significantly weakened.
For the match between Valladolid and Almeria, the betting is now on a goal by Largie Ramazani for the visitors. With the departure of Sadiq, the Belgian is now particularly called upon in the attack of the “Indálicos” and his current form seems to be ideally suited for this.
The 21-year-old has scored in two of his three appearances this season and has a soft spot for the upcoming opposition. He scored in both games against the “Albivioletas” last season!
There should also be plenty of chances for him to score, as the home side have not been convincing so far and are the top scorers in La Liga, having already conceded eight goals. Moreover, they are suffering from a number of absences, which also affect the defence.
