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Sparks will fly as two of La Liga's bottom three teams battle for three valuable points at La Rosaleda on Thursday.
Malaga are currently on a seven-match winless run and are still in the hunt for their first victory of the campaign.
Villarreal, meanwhile, are hoping to halt their losing streak.
Read our Malaga vs Villarreal 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 Villarreal key stats
- Seven consecutive meetings between these teams have gone below the 2.5-goal mark.
- Both teams were on the scoresheet in six of Villarreal's last seven outings.
- Villarreal have not kept a clean sheet in seven consecutive games.
Malaga vs Villarreal preview: Can the Yellow Submarine get back on track?
Malaga vs Villarreal — Tale of the Tape
| Malaga | vs | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Position | 18th |
| 3 | Points | 2 |
| 2 | Goals For | 7 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 10 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 16th | Home / Away Rank | 13th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Malaga were able to salvage a point from their trip to Celta over the weekend, with Adrian Nino scoring a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
In addition to being one of four winless sides in the Spanish top flight this season, Juan Funes' troops are also the joint-lowest scorers, having scored only twice in five league outings.
It is worth mentioning that three of the hosts' last four matches ended in stalemates. The Andalusian side will fancy their chances of earning a first top-flight victory since April 2018 as they host a struggling Villarreal.
Malaga have been plagued by injuries, with Diego Murillo (ACL), Julen Lobete (ACL), Fernando Calero (broken rib), Aaron Ochoa (meniscus), Adam Aznou (stomach virus), Carlos Dotor (illness), and Alex Pastor (stomach virus) all ruled out for this game.
On the other hand, Villarreal suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Real Betis on Monday night, despite registering the first goal.
For a team that finished third in La Liga last season, this has not been a particularly pleasant campaign for the visitors, as they are currently on a four-match losing streak and a six-game winless run.
With 10 goals conceded in five top-flight games so far, the Yellow Submarine have equalled their worst defensive start to a La Liga season, leaving coach Inigo Perez under immense pressure to try and motivate his troops to winning ways.
Despite their lack of victories, it is fair to point out that the Valencia-based outfit have scored at least two goals in four of their six competitive fixtures this season. There are no new absences for the visiting team, although Juan Foyth remains the only player ruled out due to a muscular injury.
Both teams share a 2-1-2 win-draw-loss record in the last five H2Hs, although this will be their first meeting since the 2017/18 season.
Malaga vs Villarreal form guide & betting tips
| Malaga | vs | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
L
D
L
D
D
|
La Liga Form |
D
D
L
L
L
|
| 3 | Points | 2 |
| 17th | Form Table | 18th |
| 2 | Goals For | 7 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 10 |
L
D
L
D
D
|
Form (All Comps) |
D
L
L
L
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Malaga 1-1 Villarreal
Priced at 21/20 (2.05), Villarreal are considered favourites by the bookies, despite their losing streak.
Both teams have no wins in their last six respective matches, and considering the spoils were shared in three of Malaga's last four fixtures, we are confident in a draw at 29/10 (3.90).
Fewer than three goals were scored in four of Malaga's last five games and in each of the last seven H2Hs, and this can be backed at 27/20 (2.35).
We also fancy a 1-1correct score at 6/1 (7.00). This landed in two of the hosts' last four fixtures.
> Under 2.5 total goals at 27/20 (2.35) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 3/5 (1.60) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Draw at 29/10 (3.90) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS – Yes at 33/10 (4.30) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-1 at 6/1 (7.00) | Likelihood: Outsider