Malaga vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Malaga remain the only winless team after eight games of the 2026-27 La Liga season as the Andalusians now welcome Real Sociedad down to Southern Spain.

Kick-off date/time: 18 October 2026 at 5:30 pm

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

Malaga come into this one on the back of snatching a 1-1 draw with Espanyol at La Rosaleda last weekend, with Bryan Zaragoza giving Espanyol the early lead before Adrian Nino snatched an equaliser deep into second half stoppage-time.

Malaga have endured a tough start to the campaign with four draws and four defeats in their eight matches. However, they have shown signs of competitiveness despite also threating to be a team that will get cut adrift due to a lack of quality.

Real Sociedad preview: In-form La Real

Real Sociedad have found some form in La Liga with the Basque giants having won three of their last four matches domestically, courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna at the Reale Arena last weekend.

However, they were pegged back to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels the other day in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League with Union SG scoring an 88th minute equaliser in that one.

Malaga team news: A few issue

Sweden international midfielder Jens Cajuste and fellow summer signing Juan Cruz are working their way back to full fitness but they have longer-term injuries such as Diego Murillo, Moussa Diarra, Aaron Ochoa and Julen Lobete.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alfonso Herrero; Carlos Puga, Fernando Calero, Angel Recio, Rafita; Rafa, Pablo Martinez; David Larrubia, Diego Lorenzo, Joaquin Munoz; Chupete

Unavailable: Diego Murillo (Injured), Diarra (Injured), Aaron Ochoa (Injured), Julen Lobete (Injured)

Questionable: Cajuste (Fitness), Juan Cruz (Fitness)

Real Sociedad team news: Pablo Marin suspended

Real Sociedad midfielder Pablo Marin was sent off last week and so he is now missing through suspension with defenders Jon Aramburu and Alvaro Odriozola now sidelined, too.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Igor Zubeldia, Jon Martin, Sarr, Sergio Gomez; Ander Barrenetxea, Yangel Herrera, Carlos Soler, Zakharyan; Guedes, Sucic

Unavailable: Jon Aramburu (Injured), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured), Pablo Marin (Suspended)

Questionable: Luken Beitia (Injured)

Malaga vs Real Sociedad prediction

The way in which Malaga have gone about their return to Spain’s top-flight has been admirable, trusting the manager and squad of mainly homegrown boyhood supporters that got them promoted last season. There does appear to be a distinct lack of quality, though. Real Sociedad head to La Rosaleda having found some form, too, and so siding with the visitors appears the way to go for this one in Andalusia.

Malaga vs Real Sociedad tip: Real Sociedad to win