Malaga vs Villarreal Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

This game sees two sides who changed their coach over the summer meet and both Juande Ramos and Fran Escribá have started the new league campaign with 2 draws.

However the disappointment of a Champions League play-off defeat to Monaco has already put a sour note on Villarreal’s season. Escriba was always likely to find things tough following on from Marcelino who surprisingly left just days before that tie and it’s not been a great start for the former Getafe boss. A 1-1 draw at Granada and 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla have been his two league results and this is another game that looks too tight to call.

Malaga looked to be on their way to victory on the opening day as they led newly promoted Osasuna 1-0 going into the final five minutes when Fran Mérida equalised. The reverse happened at Espanyol last time out though as Malaga fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Diego Llorente and Charles getting on the scoresheet. The leveller came in stoppage time and really sent them into the international break on a positive note and they’ll be hoping for their first victory here.

Villarreal shaded the game against Sevilla before the international break and Escriba would probably have welcomed the international break as it’s given him some time to find his feet at the club and work on a few things with his players. However the continued absence of first choice forwards Roberto Soldado and Cédric Bakambu means they are still a bit short up front and most likely lacking the cutting edge needed to win a game like this.

Even so they remain quite an organised side and although Malaga have added a few more creative players to their ranks, they will struggle to control what has all the makings of a very even contest. Given that backing the draw at 21/10 might be the best approach here.