Malaga vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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It has been a difficult return to La Liga for Malaga as the Andalusians now come up against an ever inconsistent Espanyol side to La Rosaleda 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+
Malaga preview: Tough start
Following their promotion back to La Liga via the Segunda play-offs, Malaga have stuck by former B team coach Juan Francisco Funes and his very young squad made up mainly of local players and, admirably, boyhood Malaga supporters.
However, the Andalusians have struggled at the start of this season with Los Albicelestes remaining the only winless team in La Liga with just three draws and four defeats in their seven matches so far this season.
Espanyol preview: Inconsistent Catalans
Espanyol challenged for Europe for much of last year before collapsing in the second half of last season and the Catalans have again been left frustrated at the start of this season with just two victories in their seven games thus far.
Manolo Gonzalez remains in charge of an Espanyol side that became the first team to lose to Elche this season in their most recent outing, beaten 3-1 by the ten-man strugglers at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona a few weeks ago.
Malaga team news: Fresh injuries
Summer signings Jens Cajuste and Juan Cruz have sustained injuries over the international break, while Moussa Diarra has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf issue.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alfonso Herrera; Carlos Puga, Juan Berrocal, Angel Recio, Rafita; David Larrubia, Rafa, Dani Lorenzo, Joaquin Munoz; Carlos Dotor, Chupete
Unavailable: Jose Salinas (Injured), Julen Lobete (Injured), Aaron Ochoa (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Murillo (Fitness), Diarra (Injured), Cajuste (Injured), Juan Cruz (Injured)
Espanyol team news: Fresh doubts
Jofre Carreras and Javi Hernandez are doubts after sustaining injuries over the break as long-term absentee Javi Puado works his way back to full fitness after an ACL injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Jose Angel Lopez, Unai Nunez, Leandro Cabrera, Roger Hinojo; Edu Exposito, Urko Gonzalez; Alex Calatrava, Pere Milla, Bryan Zaragoza; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Kike (Injured)
Questionable: Jofre Carreras (Injured), Javi Hernandez (Injured), Javi Puado (Fitness)
Malaga vs Espanyol prediction
Despite playing quite a proactive style of football that is based on possession and propelled Malaga from a struggle to promotion last season, the Andalusians have scored just three goals in their seven games so far this season. Espanyol head south on the back of an inconsistent start but they do have one of the most in-form strikers in Europe, let alone Spain, in Roberto Fernandez, who scored on Spain debut over the break, and siding with the Catalans to have a point of difference in the final third is the way to go for this one.
Malaga vs Espanyol tip: Espanyol to win & under 3.5 goals
