UD Almería climb to 3rd just 2 and 3 points off automatic promotion
The Rojiblancos make it 3 wins on the bounce as rivals stumble in the race for promotion
UD Almería have climbed to 3rd place in the table and now have the automatic promotion spots firmly within reach. The Rojiblancos sit just 2 points behind second-placed Racing de Santander and 3 adrift of new pacesetters CD Castellón after closing the gap on the teams above them.
Although Matchday 26 will conclude with the game between Real Sociedad 'B' and Málaga CF, neither of whom can overtake the Andalusian side, UD Almería have taken full advantage of their rivals’ slip-ups.
Defeats for Deportivo de La Coruña in Castellón and Racing Santander in Eibar, coupled with a draw for UD Las Palmas in Miranda de Ebro, have strengthened UD Almería’s position. UD Las Palmas now sit 4 points behind the Indálicos.
Head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia Rubi had highlighted the importance of this stretch of the season ahead of the fixture against FC Andorra, and his side have delivered with 3 consecutive victories. While most promotion rivals have dropped points, with the exception of CD Castellón, UD Almería are building momentum at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Even so, the promotion race remains incredibly tight. Next Saturday’s home fixture could represent another major step forward for the Rojiblancos, who host an in-form Córdoba CF side at the UD Almería Stadium. Córdoba CF have won 6 of their last 7 matches and sit just outside the play-off spots with a game in hand, still to be played away to AD Ceuta FC on Wednesday, 25 February.
At the summit, CD Castellón lead the way with 48 points, followed by Racing on 47 and UD Almería on 45. Deportivo remain on 43, while Málaga CF (who play on Monday), UD Las Palmas and Córdoba CF have 41. Burgos CF and Real Sporting de Gijón are close behind on 40. A gap then opens up from 10th-placed SD Eibar on 35 points.
With so many teams separated by such fine margins, the battle for promotion remains fiercely contested. For now, however, UD Almería have responded in style and put themselves firmly back on track.