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All eyes will be on the Bernabeu when Real Madrid host Malaga in the third round of La Liga on Sunday.
Los Blancos have won five games in a row and will set their sights on securing the top spot by the end of Matchday 3.
Malaga, meanwhile, are hoping to put an end to their winless run.
Read our Real Madrid 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.
Real Madrid vs Malaga key stats
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
- Los Blancos won their last four encounters with Malaga.
- Seven of Malaga's last eight outings produced goals at both ends.
Real Madrid vs Malaga preview: Business as usual for the hosts?
Real Madrid vs Malaga — Tale of the Tape
| Real Madrid | vs | Malaga |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Position | 15th |
| 6 | Points | 1 |
| 6 | Goals For | 1 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 3 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 18th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Real Madrid cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in their first home game of the season on Wednesday.
The hosts have had a near-perfect record since Jose Mourinho took the reins this summer, winning six and drawing one of seven matches across all competitions.
Los Blancos remain one of the most injury-hit teams in La Liga going into the third round. Ferland Mendy (thigh), Raul Asensio (muscle), Rodrigo Goes (ligament), Aurelien Tchouameni (muscle), Thiago Pitarch (knee), and Endrick (muscle) are all sidelined due to the aforementioned injuries.
Eder Militao has recovered from a ligament injury, but it's very unlikely to see the Brazilian back in action this weekend, while Marc Cucurella, who started the last two games from the bench, could finally make the starting XI this time.
Nonetheless, Kylian Mbappe scored his sixth hat-trick for Real Madrid against Sociedad on Wednesday and is expected to lead the line once again.
On the other hand, Malaga earned their first point of the season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against fellow newcomers Deportivo La Coruna.
While the visitors have now halted their losing streak in this competition, they are still without a top-flight win since April 2018.
Moreover, the visitors have had a poor track record against Real Madrid in the past, as they have lost four consecutive clashes between these teams and have no wins in the last 11 H2Hs (D2, L9).
In fact, Malaga's last victory over Real Madrid came in December 2012, and they have never won an away game against Los Blancos (D7, L32).
Like their hosts, Malaga have some injury concerns, with up to three players ruled out of the trip to the capital, including Adrian Nino (thigh), Diego Murillo (cruciate ligament), and Fernando Calero (broken rib).
Real Madrid vs Malaga form guide & betting tips
| Real Madrid | vs | Malaga |
|---|---|---|
W
W
|
La Liga Form |
L
D
|
| 6 | Points | 1 |
| 2nd | Form Table | 15th |
| 6 | Goals For | 1 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 3 |
W
W
W
W
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
L
D
L
D
|
Whispers Predicts: Real Madrid 4-1 Malaga
At 1/10 (1.10), Real Madrid are the overwhelming favourites ahead of this skirmish.
Mourinho's side have nine wins in their last 10 matches acsiss all competitions, and considering their excellent track record against Malaga, anything other than a comfortable victory for the hosts would be surprising.
Interestingly, both teams were on the scoresheet in seven of Malaga's last eight outings and in six of Real Madrid's last eight fixtures, and this can be backed at 5/4 (2.25).
We also fancy over 0.5 Malaga HT goals at 14/5 (3.80), considering that Los Blancos have conceded before the half-time break in both of their league matches this season.
> Over 3.5 total goals at 17/20 (1.85) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Probable
> To win both halves: Real Madrid at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> Real Madrid & BTTS – Yes at 31/20 (2.55) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-1 at 13/1 (14.00) | Likelihood: Outsider