La Liga preview and odds: Espanyol vs. Malaga

Published on: 19/11/2015

La Liga preview and odds: Espanyol vs. Malaga

November 21, 2015 19:30pm - Estadi Cornellà-El Prat

La Liga

Two teams dwelling in the lower reaches of La Liga table will go head-to-head on Saturday as Espanyol host Malaga at Estadi Cornellà-El Prat in Barcelona. Espanyol with top-ten ambitions

Barcelona-based Espanyol have a chance of breaking into the top-ten with a win over struggling Malaga this weekend. Sergios men have not been in great form but have managed to pick up four wins this season - twice as many as this weekends opponents. However, they have only won one of their last six in the league and one of their last four at home.

They come into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club in Bilbao. Prior to that, they played out their first draw of the season at home to joint-bottom club Granada.

Crisis looming for Malaga

Malaga have been poor on the road this season having lost four out of five away games with just a single point to show for their efforts. Remarkably, that point was picked up in a 0-0 draw away to Real Madrid. With just two wins to their name, they sit precariously above the relegation zone with a total of just nine points.

As a result, it has been suggested that the clubs owner Abdullah Al-Thani is about to implement some drastic changes at the club that could see several key staff members moved on. Of course, a statement of intent on the field could ease the current pressure, but Malaga are coming into this games on the back of two straight defeats and with a low level confidence.

Team news

Espanyol are still without Anaitz Arbilla who is still recovering from an Achilles problem. Meanwhile, Malaga will be missing the injured duo of Ignacio Camacho and Flavio Ferreira.

Recent form (League)

Espanyol: LDLWL

Malaga: LLWLW

Betting odds and tips

Espanyol have not lost to Malaga in any of their last six league meetings having won three and drawn three. Their opponents have failed to score a single goal on the road this season. You can back the home side to win to nil at 11/4 with Bet365.

Published on: 19/11/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (19/11/2015 12:53:37) but are subject to change.