Preview: Real Madrid - Almeria

Carles Puyol, Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona, Real Madrid (MARCA)

Kick-off: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 18:00 CET – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

Dignity Restored

It seems strange that one defeat is praised more than 12 victories, but after taking it to Barcelona in the Camp Nou in a Clasico match that confirmed Madrid as a legitimate contender for the Liga title, there is a renewed feeling of pride and confidence in Manuel Pellegrini's side.

Had there been more clinical finishing, Los Blancos could have easily come out as the victors against the Blaugrana, but despite the loss, the fans are excited about their team, the players are beginning to demonstrate collective play rather than isolated moments of individualism, and Florentino Perez’s €254 million investment is beginning to show signs of paying off.

Now, with just three Liga matches and one Champions League encounter left before the winter break, Los Blancos begin the rest of the their season with the hope of continuing their improvement and putting together longer periods of attractive play.

What better way for the Men in White to showcase their improvement than to put on a show for a hungry Madridista crowd against former Merengue Hugo Sanchez and his Almeria team.

Almeria Without Alma

After losing their top striker, Alvaro Negredo (recalled from loan by Madrid over the summer and subsequently farmed out to Sevilla—likely to return to the Spanish capital next season), Almeria have been experiencing a few growing pains this season.

Sitting in 13th place in the table with just 12 points, it must be said that Hugo Sanchez’s side look a bit lost, having failed to make a push for a title this season by crashing out of the Copa del Rey against Segunda side Hercules.

With nothing to play for but pride, ‘Hugol’s’ side will look to make a match of it this Saturday with the hope of showing Real Madrid that there are more teams in La Liga than Barcelona.

FORM GUIDE

Real Madrid

November 29 v Barcelona (A) LOST 1-0 (Liga)

November 25 v FC Zurich (H) WON 1-0 (Champions League)

November 21 v Racing (H) WON 1-0 (Liga)

November 10 v Alcorcon (H) WON 1-0 (Copa del Rey)

November 7 v Atletico Madrid (A) WON 3-2 (Liga)

Almeria

November 29 v Athletic Bilbao (H) LOST 4-1 (Liga)

November 22 v Mallorca (A) LOST 3-1 (Liga)

November 12 v Hercules (H) LOST 1-0 (Copa del Rey)

November 8 v Osasuna (H) WON 2-0 (Liga)

November 1 v Zaragoza (A) LOST 2-1 (Liga)

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

The big news of the week is Kaka’s minor injury which has caused the Brazilian playmaker to be unfit for Saturday’s match - he may yet return for Madrid’s midweek Champions League tie at Marseille.

Additionally, Guti, Van Nistelrooy, and Metzelder have been unable to recover match fitness and continue to recuperate from their respective injuries. Aside from Kaka, the big absence is Lassana Diarra who picked up a red card in the final minute of El Clasico and will serve out his suspension in this match. Fernando Gago, who had fallen out of sorts recently and has publicly declared his desire to leave, has been included in the squad.

Probable Starting XI (4-1-2-1-2): Casillas (c) – Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Arbeloa – Xabi Alonso – Mahamadou Diarra, Marcelo – Cristiano Ronaldo – Benzema, Higuain

Almeria

Hugo Sanchez will be pleased with having recovered two crucial members of his back line in Chico and Guilherme. They will be welcome additions as Almeria prepare to face the attack-happy Real Madrid.

Also recovered in the squad is Crusat who has overcome his knock, but Nieto has been unable to make his way back from his setback. Finally, Quillo, David Rodriguez, Solari, Borzani, and Vargas are all out of the squad list because of their respective injuries.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Diego Alves – Ortiz, Chico, Acasiete, Guilherme – Piatti, Bernadello, Mbami, Crusat – Corona, Uche


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Madrid

With Kaka sidelined, Cristiano Ronaldo - after spending over a month out himself - comes into the squad to take on the responsibility of providing the dazzle in attack. Since their Brazilian star is out, Madrid lack an organizer on the pitch and Los Blancos will likely rely on CR9’s blazing runs down the flank to advance the ball up the pitch.

Almeria

With Negredo gone, Pablo Piatti has begun to step up as the Almeria starlet. The young Argentine is an up and coming player in La Liga and will hope to make his mark in a match against an opponent whose scouts may be on the lookout.

PREDICTION

After fluffing their feathers in El Clasico, Madrid were unlucky to not come away with at least one goal. Now, Los Blancos must build upon that momentum and clinically dispatch Almeria. With their confidence high, this match could be dangerous in that it is one that could be easily overlooked. However, with the Bernabeu salivating for beautiful play, it seems unlikely that Los Merengues will lose their focus.

Real Madrid 4-0 Almeria