Almería vs. Real Madrid: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Real Madrid will go in search of their 20th consecutive win in all competitions in Week 15 of the La Liga season, when they take on Almeria at the Juegos Mediterraneos stadium.
Los Blancos have swept aside all in their path in recent weeks, dazzling opponents with their array of attacking talent, midfield mastery and cohesive defensive work. This game, played on a Friday evening in Spain, gives them a great chance to heap the pressure on Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who both play later on the weekend.
Almeria are currently languishing down in 17th place in the Spanish top flight and it’s difficult to see them getting any kind of result here. But you never quite know when it comes to La Liga, and whenever Real are involved, the game is never one to miss. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the match and a closer look at both teams.
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Date: Friday, Dec. 12
Time: 7:45 p.m. (GMT), 2:45 p.m. (ET)
Live Stream: Sky Go App (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Real Looking To Keep Record Run Going
Most sides on the continent would be delighted to notch 19 wins in a single season, but since losing 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid, Real have got their act together in a way that’s scarcely seen in modern-day football. The 19 wins in a row is a record for a Spanish team, and Carlo Ancelotti took to Twitter to express the pride he felt at his players’ displays:
The swagger with which they’ve played is incomparable to any team on the continent, and in Cristiano Ronaldo, they boast a forward scoring a stratospheric amount of goals.
Daniel Storey of Football 365 provides us with an indication of the scintillating form the Portuguese is currently in:
The winning run is also a testament to the squad depth that Ancelotti has assembled at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Italian has been without Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez for chunks of this magnificent run, but players have come in and filled the gaps with distinction.
Isco is one player who has benefitted from those knocks and after a string of sensational displays, the young Spaniard has elevated himself to almost undroppable status. His ability to play off the striker, on either flank, or even in a deeper midfield role has been invaluable for Madrid, and he's not lost that eye for a pass in dangerous areas either, as noted here by WhoScored.com:
Taming these attacking talents would be a big ask for any side at the moment. But what about Almeria? Do they have what it takes to pull off what’d be a major, major shock? Going on the evidence of recent performances, it looks very much unlikely.
They’ve only won two of their 14 La Liga games, haven’t picked up three points in their last eight matches—losing six—and look bereft of any kind of ingenuity or cohesiveness. If they concede an early goal here, it could end up being another landslide victory for the European champions; after all, Almeria conceded five to top-flight debutants Eibar last time out!
This will be Real’s last La Liga game before they jet off to Morocco for the Club World Cup and with that in mind, you suspect there will be extra incentive to preserve their staggering momentum before they undergo an enforced domestic hiatus.
And they will, and could potentially do so with some style. Teams always raise their game when Real and Barcelona come to town, so expect a performance from Almeria containing a little more endeavour than has been on show in recent weeks. But even if every player performs to their maximum, they don’t stand a chance against the might of the European champions.
Expect the hosts to shut up shop in an attempt to nullify and frustrate the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema. That should stop them getting beaten out of sight, but it won’t stop Real leaving for the Club World Cup having extended their unprecedented run, with another three points secured and with their lead atop La Liga well intact.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com.
