La Liga Preview: Villarreal - UD Almeria

Another week of Spanish football sees high-flying Villarreal host Almeria at the Madrigal in what might just be the pick of matchday 10.

Almeria are out to prove that they are no longer just underdogs, and can pose a serious challenge to the top six places. Villarreal, on the other hand, sit comfortably in second place, a cool point above Real Madrid.

Marching Submarines

Doubts were raised at the beginning of the season as to whether Villarreal would be able to continue impressing in the league while playing regular Champions League football. Manuel Pellegrini has silenced his critics, managing to balance his team's priorities, holding evening sessions prior to European games and holding one extra morning practice before league games.

Last week's blip against Aalborg is hardly considered a disappointment. The coach spoke of his satisfaction with the team's performance overall; and despite not being able to relive the 6-3 thrashing of the first leg, Villarreal imposed their style on the game and played their football with discipline.

In the league, the Yellow Submarine's slip up in mid-October saw them lose their iron grip on first place. The difficult away game against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames showed just how effective Pellegrini's tactics can be during away games.

It was hardly their show of the season, but the players were decisive in front of goal and managed to tame an extremely dangerous Bilbao front line. At home, Villarreal adjust their style of play and turn to the attractive attacking football that excites their admirers and causes their stadium to erupt with roars of delight.

The men in yellow failed to beat Almeria last season, being held to a draw at home then suffering a 1-0 loss at the Mediterranean Stadium, leaving them with a sour taste in their mouths. This time they will march onto the pitch full of confidence and bustling with life; the objective: all three points.

Away with Almeria

In Andalucía, there have been mixed feelings at the Almeria camp. After starting their season on a high note, Arconada's men have been having a hard time with consistency. The season is no longer in its opening stages and the competition is getting tighter for the mid-table teams. A mere two points separate the teams from 6th place down to 13th; Almeria can no longer afford to draw their games, and snatching full points during away games should be the team's priority.

Despite holding Madrid to a 1-1 draw, you just get the feeling that Almeria had to win that game. They played with such fluidity that the Madrid backline were helpless in holding any possession and could not even strike the odd counter-attack.

Pablo Piatti bombed forward down both flanks, making him absolutely impossible to mark, and scored a beautiful volley in the last ten minutes. It had to be Almeria's best 45 minutes of the season so far, and when they play at that level, a draw could just come as a disappointment.

It seems unlikely that the Andalucían outfit will park the team bus in front of goal, but they will keep the play tight in their own half. They will want to take the win, but with the difficult circumstances, they should be happy with a draw.


FORM GUIDE

Villarreal

Nov 05 Aalborg 2-2 Villarreal (Champions League)

Nov 01 Athletic 1-4 Villarreal (La Liga)

Oct 29 Poli Ejido 5-0 Villarreal (Copa Del Rey)

Oct 26 Villarreal 4-4 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)

Oct 21 Villarreal 6-3 Aalborg (Champions League)

Almeria

Nov 02 Almeria 1-1 Real Madrid (La Liga)

Oct 29 Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Almería (La Liga)

Oct 25 FC Barcelona 5-0 Almería (La Liga)

Oct 19 Almería 0-1 Sevilla FC (La Liga)

Oct 05 Getafe 2-2 Almería (La Liga)


TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Manuel Pellegrini will return to his favoured eleven after shuffling his players around for the mid-week clash against Aalborg. Giuseppe Rossi has been hitting top form lately and should be given a place in the starting squad, forming a dangerous partnership with Joseba Llorente.

Nihat and Eguren continue recovering from their respective injuries, and will be definitely unavailable for the game.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2) - Diego Lopez - Angel, Gonzalo, Cygan, Capdevila – Santi Cazorla, Marcos Senna, Pires, Mati Fernandez - Rossi, Llorente

Almeria

Almeria's main focus this week has been defending on set-pieces, their main weakness. Arconada will want his players to keep their eyes peeled for the dangerous crosses on the left by Santi Cazorla, and skipper Mane will be given instructions to do whatever it takes to stop him.

Otherwise, Pablo Piatti could be given a starting berth after his colossal performance against Real Madrid, with the ever-impressive Negredo as the lone striker.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Diego Alves – Bruno, Chico, Pellerano, Mané (c) – Juanito, Corona – Juanma Ortíz, Julio Álvarez, Piatti – Negredo


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Villarreal

Brazilian born midfielder Marcos Senna has been the man of the show recently, looking dangerous on the attack and protecting the back-line. His long, powerful shots pose all sorts of problems for the opposition defence, who have a hard time finding the space to close him down. Also, Fernando Llorente has been a huge success at the Madrigal and will do what it takes to get on the score-sheet.

Almeria

Last week's hero Pablo Piatti has shown exactly what he is capable of by scoring a stunner against Real Madrid. The 19-year-old Argentinean has the pace and agility that makes him extremely difficult to defend against. Being the youngest player on the squad and by far one of the smallest in the Spanish League, he continues to grow positively but has a hard time with being bullied on the pitch, a little like Leo Messi when he started out.


PREDICTION

Villarreal usually manage rack full points at home but Almeria are a tough nut to crack. The home side will draw first blood early on in the game, and then double their lead by the break. Almeria will have to clout a tough battle at the Madrigal…right till the final whistle.

Villarreal 2-1 Almeria


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