La Liga Matchday 2: Almeria vs Real Madrid Odds
Courtois and Eder Militao Out Long Term for Real Madrid
Real Off to Winning Start
Real Madrid, perennial title contenders, started their La Liga season with a 2-0 win over Athletic Club. However, two key players, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and defender Eder Militao, have torn their ACLs, which makes the next few months much more complicated for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. They’ve already brought in a stopgap replacement for Courtois but may have to dip into the transfer market for another center back. Ahead of their next match, we’ll look at Courtois’ replacement and the Almeria vs Real Madrid odds.
Almeria vs Real Madrid
Day/Time:
Location: Power Horse Stadium, Almeria, Spain
Head-to-Head:
These teams played two La Liga fixtures against each other last season, and Real Madrid won both. On the road, Real Madrid managed a 2-1 comeback win and defeated Almeria 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Almeria is on a 12-game winless streak vs Real Madrid, and last picked up a win in this fixture back in 2008. Both teams have scored in three of the previous four matches between the sides.
Almeria Concede Two Penalties in Season Opener
Almeria kicked off their season at home vs Rayo Vallecano. Momentary lapses in concentration sunk Almeria as they conceded two penalties in the first half. Rayo Vallecano scored both their spot kicks and Almeria went on the offensive for the rest of the match. They created many chances, and left-back Sergio Akieme played excellently, but Almeria couldn’t find the net.
Their next few La Liga games are reasonable but progressively more difficult. After hosting Real Madrid on Saturday, Almeria takes on Cadiz, Celta Vigo, Villarreal, Valencia, and Sevilla in the following five weeks. Over the Summer, Almeria sold last season’s leading scorer, El Bilal Toure, to Atalanta. Rodrigo Ely and Samu Costa, who played big minutes last season, also departed the club. Luis Javier Suarez, whose loan from Marseille was made permanent, figures to take the bulk of Toure’s minutes.
Almeria also signed Dion Lopy, Sergio Arribas, Marc Pubill, and Edgar Gonzalez this Summer. It could be challenging for Almeria to stay in La Liga after this season; they finished in 17th place in 2022-23. They conceded the third-most goals in the league last season and gave up two to Rayo Vallecano on Friday.
Real Madrid’s Injury Crisis
Real Madrid has suffered some terrible luck over the last week. Thibaut Courtois, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, tore his ACL last Thursday in the lead-up to the season opener. Then, in Real’s 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, defender Eder Militao suffered the same injury. With both players out until 2024, at the very least, Los Blancos could be in trouble.
Real wasted no time bringing Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea to replace Courtois. However, the club has said they may not go for another center back before the transfer window closes. That means they’re only left with David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Nacho to play center-back. Meanwhile, left-back Ferland Mendy and new attacking midfielder Arda Guler are also out for the time being.
Last season, Real Madrid finished second in the La Liga standings but won the Copa del Rey. This is Carlo Ancelotti’s last season in charge of Real Madrid, as he’s set to take over the Brazilian National team next Summer. On the bright side, Jude Bellingham, Fran Garcia, and Joselu made their competitive debuts in the 2-0 win. Bellingham, Real’s second-most expensive signing ever, even scored on his debut.
Match Analysis & Odds
Despite the critical injuries, the Almeria vs Real Madrid odds price Los Blancos as -245 road favorites. Real Madrid’s first three matches of the season are on the road, and they went 11-1-7 away from home last season. Real Madrid managed to keep a clean sheet in their season owner, and Real -1, -1.5 comes in at -115 odds.
Almeria, who have conceded at least twice to Real Madrid in the last seven fixtures, are +600 underdogs. They’ve kept clean sheets in just two of their last 16 La Liga matches and Almeria +1, +1.5 displays -105 odds. A draw also sits at +400 odds here. Meanwhile, Over 2.5, 3 goals are priced at -120 odds, and Real Madrid has a bunch of firepower.
Vinicius Jr. is now the main man for Real, with Karim Benzema gone. The Brazilian winger scored 10 goals and added nine assists in 33 La Liga appearances in 2022-23. Rodrygo, Fede Valverde, and Joselu are all capable of scoring goals as well. May the Almeria vs Real Madrid odds be in your favor.
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