Real Madrid vs Malaga Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

It’s important Real Madrid get back to winning ways here having suffered 2 defeats already this week, having not lost a domestic game for nearly a year prior to that. Up against an out-of-form Malaga side, that has looked poor at the back, they should have little trouble doing just that.

2-1 defeats against Sevilla in La Liga and Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey will have given Zidane plenty to think about as he prepares his troops for this game. Certainly they are far from the perfect side despite that Spanish record unbeaten run but credit must also go to the opposition in those games, both of whom were in great form and put in excellent performances on the day.

Malaga by contrast don’t look remotely capable of emulating those clubs. They’ve lost all of their last 4 matches in all competitions and have been conceding plenty of goals against attacks much less potent than the one Real Madrid possess. They’ve conceded 1.72 goals per game this term in La Liga, which is the worst defensive record outside the bottom four and look to have really lost their way at the back.

They’ve put in very competitive showings against the top sides in recent years and avoided defeat in both games against Real Madrid last season when they were well-organised and tough to break down. That certainly hasn’t been the case of late though and the surprise resignation on Juande Ramos appears to have rocked them with Marcelo Romero still awaiting his first point following a 2-0 home defeat against Real Sociedad on Monday.

Real Madrid average 2.56 points per game at home in La Liga this term, winning 78% of their matches. They average an impressive 2.71 goals per game and their attack will be bolstered here from midweek with Karim Benzema almost certain to be recalled. The Frenchman has scored 6 goals in his last 8 appearances and should be a big threat to a questionable Malaga central defence. Backing Benzema to score 2 or more goals at 13/8 could be worth a flutter.

Overall Real Madrid are just likely to have far too much quality in the final third and won’t face the same resistance they have done in their last two matches. Therefore, backing Real Madrid -2.50 Asian Handicap at 39/40 looks to offer value.