Alaves vs Malaga Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Deportivo Alaves have a brilliant chance to bounce back as the Basque outfit now welcome a struggling Malaga side to the Mendizorrozza on Friday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Alaves preview: Poor form
Former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores enjoyed a brilliant opening six months or so in charge of Alaves but the Basque outfit have now collected just one point from their last five matches.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo at Balaidos last weekend with goals scored by Ferran Jutgla and Javi Rodriguez before a late consolation grabbed by Hugo Novoa.
Malaga preview: Bad return
Following their promotion back to La Liga via the play-offs, Malaga have endured a really tough start to life back in the top-flight as the only winless team in the division, nine games into the campaign.
The Andalusians were eventually blown away by an improving Real Sociedad side at La Rosaleda last weekend, fighting to a 2-1 and 3-2 deficit at home to La Real before being beaten 5-2 by the Basque giants.
Alaves team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns for Alaves to deal with this weekend as Facundo Garces remains a longer-term absentee alongside summer signing Mikel Rodriguez.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Valentini, Jonny; Koski, Pablo Ibanez, Antonio Blanco, Carles Alena, Rebbach; Toni Martinez, Lucas Boye
Unavailable: Garces (Injured), Mikel Rodriguez (Injured)
Questionable:
Malaga team news: Juan Cruz could return
One of few summer signings Juan Cruz could return this weekend after a minor hamstring injury but fellow attackers Julen Lobete and Aaron Ochoa remain sidelined for the visitors.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alfonso Herrero; Rafita, Fernando Calero, Angel Recio, Juan Salinas; David Larrubia, Ivan Merino, Carlos Dotor, Pablo Martinez; Adrian Nino, Chupete
Unavailable: Julen Lobete (Injured), Aaron Ochoa (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Murillo (Injured), Juan Cruz (Injured)
Alaves vs Malaga prediction
Malaga have continued to play with a proactive style of football that gained them promotion with former B team coach Juan Francisco Funes at the helm of a majorly homegrown side. Alaves themselves have dipped quite badly in recent weeks but they remain the firm favourites for this one as they battle to get back on track against the struggling southerners.
Alaves vs Malaga tip: Alaves to win
