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Malaga will make the trip to Estadio de Mendizorroza for their La Liga clash with Deportivo Alaves on Friday night.
The visitors have been the worst team in the Spanish top flight so far and are still in the hunt for their first win of the season.
Alaves, meanwhile, are eyeing a return to winning ways after enduring a disappointing five-game winless run.
Read our Alaves vs Malaga prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Alaves vs Malaga key stats
- Deportivo Alaves have won four of the last five H2Hs.
- Four of Malaga's last five matches have featured goals at both ends.
- Five or more cards were awarded in eight of the last nine meetings between these outfits.
Alaves vs Malaga preview: Cam the hosts turn things around?
Alaves vs Malaga — Tale of the Tape
| Alaves | vs | Malaga |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | Position | 20th |
| 11 | Points | 4 |
| 13 | Goals For | 6 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 18 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 5th | Home / Away Rank | 18th |
Deportivo Alaves' fortunes have significantly worsened over the course of the season. They were one of the top teams by the end of matchday 4, having won three and drawn one of their first four league outings.
However, the Basque side have gone on a five-match winless streak since, managing one draw while suffering four defeats. They have now dropped to seventh and are only two points above 15th place.
On the positive side, all three of Alaves' wins so far have come on home turf, so they will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways against one of the league's worst defences.
Head coach Quique Sanchez Flores has no new injury concerns ahead of this skirmish, but long-term absentees Mikel Rodriguez and Facundo Garces are still ruled out with cruciate ligament injuries.
Malaga, on the other hand, were beaten 5-2 at home by Real Sociedad in their last La Liga outing. This has not been a particularly pleasant campaign for the visitors, as they are the only winless side in the Spanish top flight so far.
Due to their abysmal run of results, Juan Funes' side find themselves at the bottom of the league table with only four points earned from a possible 27. They have also been one of the league's worst travellers, having lost three of their four away games this term.
Like their hosts, Malaga also have two players nursing cruciate ligament injuries: Julen Lobete (out for the season) and Diego Murillo (out until January). Aaron Ochoa (meniscus), Joaquin Munoz (calf), and Juan Cruz (hamstring) are also unavailable for selection. Adrian Nino has scored in back-to-back league games and is expected to partner Chupete in a two-man attack, while Pablo Martinez (two assists) starts in midfield.
This will be the first encounter between these outfits since May 2023, and their first clash in the top flight since May 2018. Alaves have been the dominant side in their recent meetings, having won four of the last five H2Hs, with only one defeat in their last eight skirmishes (W5, D2).
Alaves vs Malaga form guide & betting tips
| Alaves | vs | Malaga |
|---|---|---|
L
L
D
L
L
|
La Liga Form |
D
L
L
D
L
|
| 1 | Points | 2 |
| 20th | Form Table | 19th |
| 3 | Goals For | 5 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 11 |
L
L
D
L
L
|
Form (All Comps) |
D
L
L
D
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Alaves 3-1 Malaga
Priced at 4/5 (1.80), Deportivo Alaves are considered favourites by the bookmakers ahead of this encounter.
The hosts have won three of their five home games this season, and considering Malaga's struggles, coupled with their poor track record against Alaves, we are confident that the Basque side will emerge victorious.
Both teams were on the scoresheet in four of Malaga's last five fixtures, and this can be backed at 1/1 (2.00).
We also fancy over 4.5 total cards at 21/20 (2.05), as was the case in eight of the last nine H2Hs.
> Over 4.5 total cards at 21/10 (2.05) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Alaves at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Alaves & BTTS – Yes at 31/10 (4.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 3-1 at 15/1 (16.00) | Likelihood: Outsider