A heavyweight clash is brewing in the Segunda División as Almeria welcomes Deportivo La Coruna to the UD Almería Stadium on January 17, 2026. With just two points separating these two titans-Almeria sitting in third place with 36 points and Deportivo lurking in fifth with 34-the stakes couldn't be higher. This match isn't just a battle for three points; it's a defining moment that could tilt the balance toward championship contention or leave one team scrambling for answers.
Predicted Lineups
Expect an electric showdown as both teams field their best. Almeria's likely lineup: GK: Andrés Fernández, DEF: Álex Muñoz, Nélson Monte, Daijiro Chirino, Federico Bonini, MID: Sergio Arribas, Adrián Embarba, Thalys, Léo Baptistão. FORWARD: Gui. On the other side, Deportivo La Coruna will likely go with: GK: Germán Parreño, DEF: Giacomo Quagliata, Dani Barcia, Lucas Noubi, Miguel Loureiro, MID: Mario Soriano, Diego Villares, Luismi Cruz. FORWARDS: Zakaria Eddahchouri and David Mella.
The recent form of these teams paints a vivid picture of contrasting trajectories. Almeria's last five matches have been a rollercoaster-witnessing three victories but stumbling in their last two fixtures against Granada and Malaga before settling for a frustrating draw against Mirandes last time out. They dominated possession (63%) but were shockingly unable to secure the win despite outshooting opponents heavily-18 shots to Mirandes' 9!
In stark contrast stands Deportivo La Coruna: they may sit two points behind but come into this matchup reeling from disappointing results-a Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid and lackluster draws against Las Palmas and Cadiz that underline some glaring issues in their attack.
When we dig deeper into the statistics from those recent encounters-Deportivo has consistently failed to translate ball control into clear scoring chances. Against Las Palmas, despite having less possession (38%), they only mustered 3 shots on target compared to Las Palmas' 6. Meanwhile, Almeria boasts an impressive average of 2 goals per game over their last five outings-yet they've also demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities with back-to-back losses revealing cracks in their armor.
Statistical Insight
Let's get technical: if we compare shot accuracy between these squads, Almeria's midfield dynamo Sergio Arribas, who notched five goals this season from his central role alongside Léo Baptistão (who netted twice), has been instrumental. Yet they're not without faults-there's an alarming trend regarding finishing that needs addressing: Almeria routinely overshot the mark against opponents like Burgos and Granada by posting lower conversion rates despite dominating other key metrics such as total shots (12 vs. Granada).
Conversely, Deportivo relies on flashy forward play from dynamic attacker Zakaria Eddahchouri, who leads his squad with seven goals so far this season! However, he needs more service to capitalize on his ability; evidenced by recent matches where midfield creators like Mario Soriano have struggled to connect effectively under pressure.
Defensively speaking, both sides will need fortification if they're serious about maintaining their standing near the top of the table. In head-to-head clashes this season-including their previous encounter which ended in a 1-1 draw-the defenses were equally porous at times but Almeria seems slightly better positioned due to higher pass completion rates (85% compared to Deportivo's struggling 79%).
Key Battles Ahead
This upcoming clash boils down to whether Almeria can utilize their midfield advantage while shoring up defensive weaknesses-or if Deportivo can finally awaken a slumbering offense under pressure. Expect Almeria to push hard through width using players like Adrián Embarba while trying to exploit set-piece situations where they excelled previously-corner kicks should be monitored closely here!
As for tactical battles: watch for how well Deportivo's defenders deal with quick transitional plays initiated by Arribas and Baptistão when they turn defense into swift counterattacks! If they manage timely interceptions through defenders like Dani Barcia or Miguel Loureiro-they might stifle Almería's advances early enough.
With all this context considered-not only do I predict that Almeria emerges victorious-but expect them to secure a commanding statement victory at home! Look for an explosive scoreline of at least 3-1 showcasing Arribas bagging another goal along with contributions from both Baptistao and newcomer Gui breaking open Deportivo's backline which has appeared increasingly fragile lately.
In conclusion: take note fans; what we are witnessing isn't just any ordinary Segunda División matchup-it is setting itself up as pivotal chessboard move in shaping future outcomes! So gear up because come January 17th-you won't want to miss this electrifying showdown as fortunes change rapidly between these ambitious foes aiming for glory!