Sevilla travelled to Almeria on Sunday knowing that three points would move them into fourth spot in La Liga.
Both sides had chances in what was an end-to-end first period, but neither could break the deadlock.
The visitors took the lead just before the hour, however, when Vicente Iborra flashed one into the bottom corner, before Coke doubled their lead five minutes later.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as Almeria welcome Champions League-chasing Sevilla. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
ALMERIA: Julian; Velez, Trujillo, Mauro, Dubarbier; Thomas, Verza, Corona; Silva, Edgar, Hemed
SEVILLA: Beto; Vidal, Pareja, Arribas, Navarro; Iborra, Carrico; Reyes, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca
So there we have it. In-form Israel forward Tomer Hemed leads the line for the home side, while there are also spots in the XI for Edgar Mendez and on-loan Arsenal forward Wellington Silva. Fernando Soriano is named on the bench, but club captain Corona starts in the middle of midfield.
Sevilla boss Unai Emery, meanwhile, has left attacking trio Gerard Deulofeu, Denis Suarez and Kevin Gameiro on the bench. As a result, Colombian forward Carlos Bacca will lead the line with support from Vitolo and Jose Antonio Reyes. There is also a spot at right-back for Spaniard Aleix Vidal.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won four of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a 3-1 Almeria victory in 2010. Last season, Sevilla were 2-1 winners at the Estadio Ramon, before winning 3-1 in this stadium later in the campaign.
Going further than that, Almeria have only won one of their previous five home league games against Sevilla. Incredibly, that came in 2007 when Unai Emery, who now manages Sevilla, was in charge. In 10 previous top-fight meetings, there has also never been a draw between these two.
Almeria, who will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Getafe in the Copa del Rey, really struggled in the early part of the season, but have won their last two league games against Celta Vigo and Malaga – both on the road – to move into 16th position in the table. That said, they are only two points above what is becoming an ever-changing relegation zone.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are making a very strong push for the top four this season. They threatened to take fourth from Athletic Bilbao last season, but just missed out. This term, they currently sit in fifth place on 33 points, while they have two games in-hand on Valencia, who sit fourth on 35 points. Emery's side also beat Granada 2-1 in the Copa del Rey last-16 first leg during the week.
Since losing 5-1 at Barcelona on November 22, Sevilla have won three of their last four league games – remaining unbeaten in the process. Last time out, they were 1-0 winners at home to Celta Vigo. They have still not lost at home this season, but they have also been strong on the road with four wins from seven games. Another victory here would indeed move them into fourth spot.
PREDICTION! Both sides enter this match in excellent form, with Almeria winning their last two in the league and Sevilla three of their last four. However, I just think that the visitors will have a little too much in attack here. I am expecting it to be tight for long spells, but will back Sevilla to win 2-0.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Let's hope for a cracker in Sunday's early start in La Liga. The away side get the first 45 minutes underway here.
It must be said that the pitch is in beautiful condition this early afternoon - perfect for a game of football. It has been a decent start from the home side, with Hemed the target from a couple of early balls. However, Arribas has been on hand to clear just inside his own penalty box. Bright start.
Banega and Bacca have both started on the same wave-length, with the Sevilla pair combining in the final third on more than one occasion. However, Almeria have dealt with the danger thus far. The home side break down the other end with Silva, but Vidal has the pace to deal with the threat.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Almeria have a half-chance when Edgar Mendez drives past Navarro before delivering a cross towards the near post, but Navarro is on hand to clear. Still goalless with six minutes on the clock here.
Dubarbier breaks forward for Almeria, but the Argentine had been in an offside position when collecting a through ball. Sevilla continue to break with numbers, but the final ball is again wayward.
Half-chance for the home side as Silva finds space down the left before delivering a cross towards the far post, but Hemed cannot make contact ahead of Pareja. Silva has been a threat early on.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Bacca has the ball in the back of the net for the away side, but the strike is chalked off for offside. The Colombian was just and I mean just past the final defender.
There have been a number of tasty challenges in the last couple of minutes, but the referee has been prepared to allow the play to flow. Almeria remain a threat in wide areas, with Silva beating his full-back on another occasion, but Hemed has not been able to meet a cross in the box thus far.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Edgar Mendez slides a through pass into Hemed, but his first-time effort brings a stunning block from Pareja.
BOOKING! Vidal (Sevilla) picks up a booking for a late challenge on Velez.
Not too much from Sevilla in the last couple of minutes, with the home side looking the more threatening in the final third. Just a reminder that a win for the away side would take them into fourth.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Bacca meets a through ball from Banega, but the Colombian's effort is blocked by Trujillo. Pareja meets the resulting corner from Reyes, but heads just wide.
BOOKING! Thomas (Almeria) is booked for a late challenge on Iborra.
Almeria continue to look dangerous in the final third as Silva rolls a low cross towards the edge of the Sevilla box, but Iborra just beats Corona to the ball. Edgar Mendez tries his luck from a wide position moments later, but his effort flashes into the side netting. Sevilla are under pressure here.
Bacca's pace allows the Colombian to collect a through ball from Reyes, but the Sevilla forward just runs it over the line before producing a dangerous cross. Almeria are down the other end with Edgar Mendez moments later, but his low cross is cleared. Still goalless with 25 minutes on the clock.
The away side have just started to find their passing rhythm in the final third as Reyes combines with Bacca outside the Almeria box, but the final ball is just too strong. The counter-attack is a serious threat for Sevilla, but Almeria also have incredible pace in wide areas.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Corona drives past two defenders before firing a low cross into the box, but Beto manages to beat it away under pressure.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. However, the card count remains at two bookings.
Silva remains the main outlet for the home side as he collects a pass from Corona before cutting inside two defenders, but his final effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Sevilla remain a threat on the counter attack, but Almeria have been the better side in the opening 33 minutes.
Decent spell of pressure from Sevilla as they force a corner following good work from Vidal, but the resulting set piece from Banega is cleared at the near post. Still goalless in Almeria.
CHANCE! Just about Sevilla's best chance of the half as Bacca finds space inside the Almeria box before rolling one back to Reyes, but his curling effort is just wide of the post.
Sevilla are now on top with little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Bacca tries his luck for the away side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was straight into the arms of Julian. It has been a very good five-minute spell for the visitors.
BOOKING! Pareja (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Silva.
Almeria force a couple of corners following good work from Corona, but Sevilla clear the danger on both occasions. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there is one - will be just vital.
HALF-TIME: Almeria 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings an entertaining first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Both teams have had half-chances during an end-to-end 45 minutes, but clear opportunities have been few and far between. Let's hope for some goals in the second period!
STATS! Sevilla have just shaded the possession with 55%, but they have managed just one attempt on target from three. Almeria, meanwhile, have also hit the target just once from their seven attempts. There have been three bookings, meanwhile, during what was a fairly feisty first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Azeez, Espinosa and Soriano all in reserve. Sevilla, meanwhile, also have plenty of options in the shape of Aspas, Deulofeu, Gameiro and Suarez - some bench that is!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Surely we are not heading for a goalless draw? Let's hope not! Almeria get the second period underway.
SUB! There has been one change at the break, with Coke replacing Pareja for Sevilla.
Half-chance for the home side as Silva finds some space inside the Sevilla box before flashing one towards the near post, but Beto is on hand to make the save. Almeria have started the half on the front foot, which was the case for long spells of the first period. Carrico seems to have a problem here...
... the Sevilla defender fell awkwardly inside his own box and does not look comfortable at all.
It just is not sticking in the final third for Sevilla as Almeria continue to force the issue. Silva has been a real livewire wire this afternoon and the on-loan Arsenal forward is looking the most likely.
Sevilla's first threat of the second period arrives from a set piece, but the delivery from Reyes is short of the required standard and the danger is cleared. Almeria continue to break forward with pace and numbers, but once again the final ball is too short. Still goalless with 53 minutes played.
You suspect that both managers will already be considering changes. Sevilla in particular have a host of attacking talent on their bench and in truth, Bacca has been too isolated this afternoon. Bacca has a half-chance after a good ball from Reyes, but the striker's shot is blocked by Velez.
Half-chance for Carrico, but the Sevilla defender's header is just wide of the post.
Sevilla again threaten from a corner, but there are no takers on Reyes's delivery, which evades a number of players inside the box. Little over 30 minutes remaining and the score remains goalless.
GOAL! Almeria 0-1 Sevilla (Iborra)
Sevilla take the lead just before the hour mark as Iborra fires one into the back of the net from the edge of the box. Excellent finish from the Spaniard, who gave Julian no chance in goal!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to respond as Silva collects a deep cross from Corona, but his effort is blocked by Carrico. Wonderful defending from the visitors.
CHANCE! Bacca has the chance to double the away side's lead after a through ball from Reyes, but Dubarbier is across to make an excellent block. Suddenly it is chances galore here.
GOAL! Almeria 0-2 Sevilla (Coke)
Sevilla double their lead as Coke picks up a loose save from Julian before finishing into an empty net. Sevilla have just taken this match away from Almeria in the last couple of minutes.
SUB! Almeria make their first change as Soriano replaces Thomas.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Sevilla lead 2-0. Almeria have had plenty of half-chances, but have struggled to work Beto for long periods of the match this afternoon.
As it stands, Sevilla are moving into fourth spot in the table. It has been a very good season thus far and they now look capable of returning to the top four. Still no changes from the visitors, but Emery has plenty of attacking talent on his bench should the Spaniard wish to alter proceedings.
Half-chance for the away side as Bacca finds space outside the box, but his effort is straight at Julian. Almeria are down the other end moments later, but Corona fires one into the stands.
Almeria are really struggling at the moment as another attack breaks down with Edgar Mendez. The home side have been dangerous this afternoon, but the final ball has been seriously lacking.
SUB! Almeria make their second change as Silva is replaced by Espinosa.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Gameiro will soon enter proceedings for the away side.
SUB! Indeed the change is made as Gameiro replaces Bacca.
In truth, not too much is happening at the moment in terms of chances, with both teams almost going through the motions. That second for Sevilla seems to have killed off the Almeria challenge.
Another half-chance for the away side as Reyes curls a free kick towards the top corner, but Julian is across to make the save. Almeria break down the other end moments later, but Hemed cannot meet a low cross from Verza. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in Almeria.
SUBS! Almeria make their third change of the match as Dangda replaces Edgar Mendez. Sevilla also make a change as Deulofeu enters in place of Vitolo.
Just a reminder that Barcelona and Atletico Madrid face off at the Camp Nou this evening - be sure to join me from 7pm for that one. It should be quite special! Little over five mins to play here...
CHANCE! Almeria come close to cutting the deficit as Hemed drives into the Sevilla box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Carrico is on hand to make an excellent block.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Gameiro leads a counter before attempting to roll a cross into Deulofeu, who would have had a simple finish. However, the cross has too much power and Almeria manage to clear. A better ball and that would have been 3-0 Sevilla.
CHANCE! The chances continue to arrive as Espinosa meets a loose ball just outside the Sevilla box, but Beto manages to make the save after initially being wrong-footed. All happening here!
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
OFF-THE-LINE! Almeria come close to their first of the match as Hemed beats Beto to a high ball inside the box, but Iborra is on hand to clear off the line. Excellent defending.
Another half-chance for the home side from the resulting corner, but Velez heads high of the crossbar. It has been a good rally from Almeria in the last 10 minutes or so.
FULL-TIME: Almeria 0-2 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Sevilla running out 2-0 winners. The result has moved the away side into fourth spot in the table, while Almeria 16th, just two points outside of the bottom three. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
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