Almeria vs Elche preview - Almeria chase maiden win

Posted Friday, August 30, 2013 by PA

Almeria coach Francisco Rodriguez is hoping it will be third time lucky for his side as they go in search of their opening Primera Division win of the new season at home to fellow top-flight newcomers Elche.

The Andalusian outfit have only picked up one point from their two matches to date, but they might easily have been sitting alongside the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid with a 100 per cent record if it were not for some late lapses.

In their opener against Villarreal Almeria led with six minutes to go only to end up losing 3-2, and then against Getafe they were denied a three-point haul by an 85th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot.

Francisco, at 35 the youngest manager in La Liga, insists his side are not fretting about their getting their first win, but admits they are eager to get up and running as soon as possible.

He told reporters: "We're don't have any anxiety about getting a win, but we are very keen to pick up a victory which we've been very close to getting in the first two matches and which has got away from us in the final minutes.

"We have to correct some of the mistakes that we've committed, maintain our shape and know how to control the situation in the final stretch."

Elche, last season's Segunda Division champions, are also hunting their first win after losing 3-0 to Rayo Vallecano in their first match and then holding Champions League participants Real Sociedad to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Elche won this corresponding fixture 1-0 last term, but coach Fran Escriba knows that match will have little bearing on Friday's clash.

He said: "We have very nice memories of last year's game against Almeria, but that's something that's already in the past and we are going to go out for the three points again this time.

"Both teams are going to look for the victory and that makes it even more interesting.

"It will be an open game."