LiontipsBarcelona vs Almeria. Prediction and Betting Tips for La Liga
Command Analysis
Barcelona ended their unsuccessful Champions League campaign with an away victory over Viktoria Plzen (4:2) on Tuesday. Club's boss, Xavi, declared that team's goal is to win the Europa League. It is extremely important for Barca to win two remaining games before the winter break, because they need to stay close to top-placed Real Madrid, who are one point ahead of the Catalan club.
Club will try to maintain their impressive run through La Liga. In 11 games team suffered only one defeat, to Real Madrid, so the Blaugrana have no worries going into the game against Almeria. Hosts have won seven latest home matches, scoring 3,43 goals per game. Barca are unbeaten at home in the current season.
10 victories and one draw brought 31 points and a 2nd spot in the La Liga standings. Araujo, Christensen, Depay, Garcia, Kessie, Roberto and Torre will miss the upcoming game.
Almeria are a mid-table team, closer to the relegation zone, but this club shouldn't be underestimated - the Red-Whites have recorded three victories in five latest matches. Each of this victories brought three goals from Andalusians, that scoring burst came as a surprise for everyone, because team didn't score three goals in one La Liga game since May. Team is now more confident on the offense, but it still will be almost impossible for Rubi to beat Barcelona - manager had six games against Barcelona in his career and lost all of them.
Moreover, Almeria have no away victories in the current season, going through a 13-game winless streak. The Red-Whites are going into this game with a record of four victories and one draw, delivering 13 points and a 13th spot in the standings. Team scored 15 goals in the current season. In the most recent game team secured a home victory over Celta (3:1). Rojas, Nieto and Martos are unavailable for the upcoming clash.
Trends
СтавкаCorrect score 4:1
Hosts have won 3 of 4 latest head-to-head matches
СтавкаCorners: total under 9,5
This bet played in 3 of 5 latest matches of the hosts
СтавкаGoals in both halves - yes
In 3 of 4 latest head-to-head matches goals were scored in both halves
СтавкаPenalty: no
In 3 of 5 latest matches of the visitors no penalties were given
Tip and bets
We are expecting a disciplined defensive performance from the visitors. They will try to contain the hosts, but Andalusian club won't have many chances against Barca. The Blaugrana need to collect all points available before the winter break.
Our prediction - Asian handicap (-3) on Barcelona
We are not expecting goals from the visitors, they hardly create any goal opportunities. We think that the visitors won't concede too many goals, but hosts should be able to secure a comfortable victory.
Our second bet is on Barcelona to win by three goals
