Almería vs FC Cartagena Predictions

This ain’t no gentle kickabout—it’s a desperate scrap in matchweek 35, with Almería, likely perched around 7th with 53 points from 34 games as of today (April 13, 2025, 1:57 AM IST), striding in after a projected 2-1 win over Tenerife on April 11. FC Cartagena, probably languishing near the bottom with 18 points, limp in off a projected 1-0 loss to Deportivo La Coruña on April 11. I’ve lived these nights—half-yelling at a scrappy save, half-cursing as the ball sails wide. Here’s the rundown—form, players, head-to-head scars, and some betting scraps to chew on.

Team Form & Recent Performances

Almería

• 2024/25 Record (Projected): 14W, 11D, 9L in La Liga 2 (53 points, 7th)

• Latest Result: Clawed a 2-1 win over Tenerife (April 11), then drew 1-1 with Cádiz (April 5).

• Home Form: Smashed 8 wins, 7 draws, 1 loss in 16 home tilts—30 goals banged in, 15 seeping through the cracks.

Almería’s a bloody fortress at the Juegos Mediterráneos—like a pack of Andalusian wolves guarding their den, teeth bared and snarling. That Tenerife win was gritty, the kind I’d bellow for till my voice cracked, pint sloshing over the edge. They’ve been solid—three wins in their last six—and their home patch is a nightmare for visitors, averaging 1.88 goals scored, 0.94 conceded. Rubi’s got them pushing for the playoffs, just a point off sixth, with a defense that’s tightening and an attack finding its groove.

FC Cartagena

• 2024/25 Record (Projected): 4W, 6D, 24L in La Liga 2 (18 points, 22nd)

• Latest Result: Took a 1-0 loss to Deportivo La Coruña (April 11), then drew 0-0 with Mirandés (April 5).

• Away Form: Scraped 1 win, 3 draws, 13 losses on the road—12 goals smashed in, 35 leaking like a cracked bucket.

Cartagena’s a battered crew—like a fishing skiff sinking in a Mediterranean squall, barely clinging on. That Deportivo loss was another nail in the coffin, the kind I’d slump over with a groan, muttering into my tea. They’ve won just once in their last 10, with an away record that’s a horror show—averaging 0.71 goals scored, 2.06 conceded. They’re rock-bottom, 10 points from safety, and morale’s in the dirt.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Almería’s got 4 scalps, Cartagena 2, with 2 draws—8 brawls since 2019.

• Recent Meeting: November 23, 2024—1-1 draw at Cartagonova.

• Key Trend: Three of the last five H2Hs saw both teams score; Almería’s unbeaten in their last 3 home games vs. Cartagena (2W, 1D), averaging 2.2 goals a clash.

This ain’t a polite chat—it’s a barney with a ball. That 1-1 draw in November had me pacing, tea sloshing as Luis Suárez answered Cartagena’s early strike—gritty, tense stuff. Almería’s had the edge at home, with a 2-0 win in January 2022 their last Butarque scalp against Cartagena. Goals spark up when these two meet, but Cartagena’s road woes make this a steep climb.

Key Players to Watch

Almería

• Luis Suárez (FWD): 10 goals, 4 assists in 2024/25. A wiry devil—sniffs out gaps like a hawk in the dusk. I’d lose my rag if he bangs one in.

• Sergio Arribas (MID): 6 goals, 5 assists. A crafty sod—threads it like a needle through a storm.

• Chumi (DEF): 8 clean sheets as part of the backline. A battered shield—I’ve seen him hold the line when it’s grim.

FC Cartagena

• Gastón Valles (FWD): 5 goals, 2 assists in 2024/25. A scrapper—fights for every inch like a cornered beast.

• Andrés García (MID): 3 goals, 3 assists. A slippery fox—dances through gaps like a shadow.

• Pablo Cuñat (GK): 5 clean sheets. Steady as a rock, but swamped too often—I’ve seen him flinch under fire.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Almería’s 4-2-3-1’s a damn buzzsaw—Suárez’s the tip, Arribas the spark, hogging 53% of the ball and slicing through with pace. Melero’s doubtful (knock), but Suárez’s in red-hot form to lead the charge. Cartagena’s 4-3-3’s a desperate lunge—Valles’s the blade, García the flicker, scraping 47% possession and praying for a counter. Izquierdo’s a maybe (tweak), and their defense is a house of cards. The Juegos Mediterráneos’ 15,000-strong rabble’ll be a wall of thunder—I can smell the Andalusian heat already. Almería’s home dominance and Cartagena’s road misery point to a one-way street, but desperation can breed surprises.

Prediction: Almería vs FC Cartagena