UD Almería back in automatic promotion with bigger cushion
Rubi's side return to second place with a stronger advantage as the promotion race intensifies
UD Almería are once again in the automatic promotion places, but this time with a bigger cushion. They have climbed back to second in the standings, a position they previously held on Matchday 12, though their advantage is now larger. Back then they were only one point ahead of third place; now they hold a 3-point cushion over both CD Castellón and Real Deportivo de La Coruña and 4 over UD Las Palmas and Málaga CF.
This time, after missing several chances to move into the automatic promotion spots, UD Almería have finally achieved their objective of reaching one of the top-2 positions that guarantee promotion to the top flight at the end of the season. The Rojiblancos secured their place thanks to their victory over Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa and the slip-ups from CD Castellón and Dépor.
The Rojiblancos had already occupied second place on Matchday 12, but the gap was smaller in what remains a fiercely competitive table. On that occasion, 1 November 2025, the Andalusian side were 1 point ahead of Burgos CF and 2 clear of Deportivo, UD Las Palmas and Cádiz CF, who filled the play-off places. The pacesetters then, just as now, were Racing de Santander, who held a 3-point lead over UD Almería. Currently, the in-form Cantabria outfit are 4 points clear atop of the table.
Behind the Indálicos, CD Castellón and Deportivo de La Coruña now sit 3 points back, while UD Las Palmas and Málaga CF are 4 behind.
Back on Matchday 9, after beating Real Zaragoza at the UD Almería Stadium, coincidentally their next opponents, Rubi’s side entered the play-off places for the first time, sitting 6th. Since then they have not left the promotion zone, occupying every position except top spot.
As mentioned, the Indálicos climbed to second place on Matchday 12 but dropped out the following match week. Now, 17 matches later, they are back in the automatic promotion positions.
As head coach Rubi said in the post-match press conference after the win over Cultural: 'Hopefully we won’t move from where we are now, but there’s still a long way to go in the season and we know the difficulties we’ll face. If we do drop out, we’ll have to go all out until the end to get the place back.'