Malaga vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Malaga have been steady but winless at the start of this season as the Andalusians now take on surprisingly winless Villarreal at La Rosaleda down in Southern Spain.
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: Competitive but winless
Malaga come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo at Balaidos in Galicia, courtesy of an 83rd minute equaliser scored by Adrian Nino after Ferran Jutgla had given Celta the lead just before half-time.
Following their long-awaited return to the top-flight via the play-offs last season, Malaga lost against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in August but they have drawn their other three matches.
Villarreal preview: Teething issues
Villarreal took the decision to replace Marcelino due to his conservative style, despite that style achieving back-to-back UEFA Champions League qualifications for the first time in their history, with Inigo Perez.
Inigo Perez, far more proactive in his way of playing football, led Rayo Vallecano to the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League last season but The Yellow Submarine have endured a tough time of it as he attempts to implement that style.
Malaga team news: Carlos Dotor a doubt
Versatile forward Carlos Dotor is a doubt for Malaga this week with defensive injuries still including the likes of Fernando Calero, Diego Murillo and Moussa Diarra.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alfonso Herrera; Rafita, Angel Recio, Einar Galilea, Juan Salinas; David Larrubia, Ivan Merino, Pablo Martinez, Joaquin Munoz; Chupete, Adrian Nino
Unavailable: Fernando Calero (Injured), Diego Murillo (Injured), Diarra (Injured), Julen Lobete (Injured), Aaron Ochoa (Injured)
Questionable: Carlos Dotor (Injured)
Villarreal team news: Nothing fresh
Villarreal head to Malaga with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues as former Tottenham Hotspur defender Juan Foyth works his way back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Santiago Mourino, Pau Navarro, Veiga, Carlos Romero; Pepe, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Buchanan; Gerard, Mikautadze
Unavailable:
Questionable: Foyth (Injured)
Malaga vs Villarreal prediction
The other day, Villarreal took the lead against Real Betis and looked to be immediately improved before succumbing to a 2-1 loss to in-form Los Verdiblancos. Malaga will be confident of taking the game to the underperforming visitors this midweek but Villarreal themselves should at least find some joy on the counter-attack with Inigo Perez’ style and so both teams scoring seems a decent bet for this one.
Malaga vs Villarreal tip: Both teams to score
