Almeria 0-2 Villarreal – Betting Review
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Villarreal won deservedly @ 2.20, although the odds drifted to around @ 3.95 before their 76th minute opening goal.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Villarreal got the full win -0.25 @ 1.88.
With hindsight, they looked value given this mark, played more like a -0.75 shot.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. The market recognised that this La Liga game was one more likely to see goals, with the line set higher than average at 2.75.
It was a good call from the market as it should have had three goals. In the end however, the Under won @ 1.85.
Match Summary
This was an extremely impressive showing from a Villarreal team which is getting back to their best level.
Almeria had begun the match with a big chance early on but faded thereafter.
The home team hung on as a more creative and precise opponent worked plenty of chances before finally pulling ahead on 76.
The entrance of the returning Gerardo Moreno was the turning point in terms of when dominance turned into goals and a victory. His sensational finish on his weaker foot put Villarreal ahead, and then Morales added a beautiful volley on 87 to kill off an already beaten Almeria.
Villarreal had the odd scare at 0-0, but this was a sorry showing from Almeria, and one may start to fear for Rubi as his team showed no real fight. Fair score 0-3.
Despite going into this as underdogs, Almeria always have more chances to gain vital points at home where 22 of their 25 points have derived from.
They wanted to replicate last weekend’s giant killing over Barcelona, but this never looked likely once Villarreal had settled into a nice stride.
The host missed a big chance on 5 minutes when Léo Baptistao spurned his opportunity on the six-yard line, scuffing his effort just wide.
The Yellow Submarine had a couple of good chances before the break, and also looked capable of getting behind the host backline if they could stay onside.
Surely sensing that Villarreal could offer a lot more, boss Rubi made a triple substitution at the break, including an injury-enforced change in goalkeeper.
Incoming Diego Mariño was then forced into action immediately, saving well with his feet to stop a 1v1. Yeremy Pino really should have scored but with the miss, the big scare made the host take steps back literally, playing for the 0-0.
Almeria were made to pay for their lack of ambition with a killer Gerardo Moreno blow on 76.
Samuel Chukwueze found him and he finished with aplomb first time on his right foot, his rising effort too good for Mariño.
The ever dangerous but often wasteful Morales finally hit the target to make it a fairer result in the final minutes.
Almeria offered no fight or effort for the remainder, including 5 minutes added time.
