/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F09%2FMalaga-Pressinphoto.jpg)
Sparks will fly as Malaga and Racing Santander battle for three valuable points in the 12th round of La Liga at La Rosaleda on Saturday.
The hosts have been the worst team in the Spanish top flight so far, while the visitors have been the league's worst travellers.
Which of these newly promoted outfits will emerge victorious when all is said and done?
Read our Malaga vs Racing Santander prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Malaga vs Racing Santander key stats
- Racing Santander have conceded first in seven of their last eight matches.
- There were at least 11 corners in four of the last five H2Hs.
- Malaga's last four La Liga outings have all featured goals at both ends.
Malaga vs Racing Santander preview: Visitors up against it
Malaga vs Racing Santander— Tale of the Tape
| Malaga | vs | Racing Santander |
|---|---|---|
| 20th | Position | 16th |
| 5 | Points | 11 |
| 8 | Goals For | 15 |
| 21 | Goals Against | 29 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 18th | Home / Away Rank | 20th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Despite their 3-0 victory over amateur side Sporting de Alcazar in the Copa del Rey, Malaga were unable to capitalise on their momentum, as they lost 2-1 to Andalusian neighbours Real Betis in La Liga last weekend.
With that in mind, Juan Funes' troops remain the only team in the Spanish top flight without a win this season. They are currently at the bottom of the table, having earned five points from a possible 33.
It is worth mentioning that the hosts have lost only two of their five home games so far, with the other three ending in stalemates. They have had the league's joint-worst offence, having scored only eight goals in 11 league matches.
Interestingly, five of those goals have come from Adrian Nino. The 22-year-old has been impressive of late, scoring in four consecutive La Liga assignments. Nino is expected to lead the charge once again for Malaga, who remain without the injured Aaron Ochoa (meniscus), Diego Murillo (ACL), and Julen Lobete (ACL).
On the other hand, Racing Santander were beaten 3-0 at home by Real Madrid last weekend.
Ahead of this clash, the Cantabrian side are 16th in the league, with 11 points in as many fixtures. Interestingly, all 11 points have come at home, and the visitors have been the worst travellers in the Spanish top flight, losing all their five away matches so far.
Moreover, Jose Alberto Lopez's men have had the league's worst defence, having conceded 29 top-flight goals so far. They will be without Andres Martin, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, as well as captain Alvaro Mantilla, who has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the season after tearing his cruciate ligament during last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Racing Club have been the dominant side in their recent clashes with Malaga, as they are unbeaten in the last six H2Hs (D3, L3). However, this will be their first meeting in La Liga since April 2012, and Malaga won the last five H2Hs in the top flight.
Malaga vs Racing Santander form guide & betting tips
| Malaga | vs | Racing Santander |
|---|---|---|
L
D
L
D
L
|
La Liga Form |
L
D
L
W
L
|
| 2 | Points | 4 |
| 19th | Form Table | 18th |
| 5 | Goals For | 4 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 13 |
D
L
D
W
L
|
Form (All Comps) |
D
L
W
W
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Malaga 1-1 Racing Santander
La Liga's worst team versus the worst travellers, joint-worst offence versus worst defence; these newly promoted sides look evenly matched on paper, with the bookies slightly favouring Malaga at 6/4 (2.50).
While Malaga have no wins in the league this season, Racing Santander have lost all their away games so far. Keeping in mind that the spoils were shared in three of the hosts' five home games this term, we believe that this match will end in a stalemate, as was also the case in Racing Santander's last two trips to La Rosaleda.
Four of the last five H2Hs have featured at least 11 corners, and this can be backed at 1/1 (2.00).
We also fancy Malaga to score first at 17/20 (1.85), bearing in mind that the visitors have conceded the first goal in seven of their last eight matches.
> Over 4.5 total cards at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 11/20 (1.55) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Draw at 27/10 (3.70) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 10.5 total corners at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Malaga to score first at 17/20 (1.85) | Likelihood: Probable