Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Atletico Madrid have yet again gone relatively big in the summer transfer window as they welcome newly-promoted Malaga to the Metropolitano on the opening day.
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+
Atletico Madrid preview: Sticking with Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone's long time at Atletico Madrid appeared to be coming towards the end in each of the last three seasons but Los Rojiblancos have opted to stay with the highest-paid manager in world football while also once again spending heavily in the summer transfer window so far.
In each of the last couple of summers, Atletico have been the biggest spenders in La Liga with over £100 million shelled out and Atleti have spent close to that number once again with the arrivals of Alex Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand and Lee Kang-in from Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting CP and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Malaga preview: Long road back to La Liga
The promoted teams in La Liga have all had hard luck stories in the recent past, now enjoying a rise back to the top-flight and it is no different for a Malaga side that have come close to extinction since their relegation from La Liga in the 2017-18 campaign.
The Andalusians have spent the majority of the last five or six years either battling relegation from the second-tier, being relegated or winning the third division play-offs but, having appointed former B team coach Juan Francisco Funes, they managed to gain promotion via the second division play-offs last season.
Atletico Madrid team news: The Julian Alvarez question
Julian Alvarez has returned to training at Atletico Madrid alongside his Argentina teammates that reached FIFA World Cup 2026. He has been outspoken in his intent to leave Atleti this summer and his involvement here is in doubt as a result.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Jose Maria Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Alex Baena, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Giuliano Simeone; Sorloth, Lookman
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Malaga team news: Several issues
Ireland youth international Aaron Ochoa is missing through suspension and Malaga have plenty of other issues with experienced centre-back Fernando Calero, who has just signed from Espanyol, among those that have injury concerns.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alfonso Herrera; Carlos Puga, Angel Recio, Alex Pastor, Jose Salinas; Ramon, Izan Merino; Joaquin Munoz, David Larrubia, Julen Lobete; Chupete
Unavailable: Fernando Calero (Injured), Diego Murillo (Injured), Carlos Dotor (Injured), Aaron Ochoa (Suspended)
Questionable: Diarra (Injured), Einar Galilea (Injured), Juanpe (Injured), Juan Cruz (Injured)
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga prediction
Malaga will play with the continuity and enthusiasm that they have shown since the arrival of Funes, steering the ship and bringing through younger players. Atletico are a team that can be quite fun to watch but frustratingly porous at the back and Malaga will hope to catch them off guard a few times in the capital city but Atletico do have to remain favourites to get a victory on the opening day of the campaign.
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga tip: Atletico Madrid to win & both teams to score
