Almeria vs Eldense - Segunda División

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings Almeria and Eldense together at the home ground on August 17, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the Segunda División occasion. The left-back was taken off in the final minutes against Everton with cramp, and was not risked for the Champions League clash vs Sabah on Thursday.

A glance at the Segunda División table tells the story: Almeria in 6th and Eldense in 16th, with positions to defend and places to climb. Confidence is coursing through the home camp, with W in their last five and a season win rate of 60% underscoring their momentum. The visitors have found the going tough on their travels, WDLDL in their last five and a win rate of just 20% telling its own story. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. One position every Premier League club still needs to strengthen in before the transfer window closes.

The touchline duel between the two managers adds another layer of intrigue, with both likely to tweak their setups in search of a decisive edge. Speaking on his YouTube Ferdinand said: "If I’m Manchester United right now I say press the green button and buy him, take him, right now.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer Enric Gallego, with 4 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. More than that, he is the club's top scorer in a single European campaign.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The weight of evidence points to Almeria, and a 2-1 win for the hosts feels like the most probable outcome. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Segunda División standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.