With the La Liga action finally back to us after a rather long international break, we are going to be treated to a clash between Malaga and Las Palmas, as both the teams are looking forward to grabbing three points in a bid to improve the team’s morale. So to help our readers keep up with all the team news, we have prepared a match preview covering all the important team news and form guide of these two teams.
MALAGA vs. LAS PALMAS
Three-way: 1: Malaga +114; X: +267 Draw; 2: Las Palmas +309
Spread -0.5: Malaga +110; Las Palmas -115
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under +102
MALAGA
After another season where the club ended the league campaign with a midtable finish, the fans will be anxious to see an upturn in the performances of the team as they want to see their team challenging the top 7 positions in the league table. However, Malaga has started the league campaign this year on a very disappointing note, as they have failed to grab a single point from both their matches so far. Their inability to convert the chances that have been created has cost them, dear, as they have drawn blanks in both the league matches so far.
The club had a mixed transfer window this summer, as they brought in some young exciting talents along with some experienced Spanish players in their team. They secured the signature of Banfield youngster Emanuel Cecchini early this summer. The Argentine midfielder was brought in for 4 million Euros, while his compatriot Esteban Rolon has also joined from Argentinos for 3.2 million Euros. In defense, they have signed young Spanish centre back Diego Gonzalez from Sevilla Athletic for 2 million, while Turkish Goalkeeper Cenk Goenen has joined from Galatasaray in a deal worth 200 thousand Euros. They have brought in Swansea Striker Borja Baston on loan for the season, while Spaniards Adrian Gonzalez and Juankar have both joined the club on free transfers.
Their first match of the season was a defeat against Eibar at home, where they miserably failed to convert their chances, which resulted in a frustrating night for the home fans. This was followed by a visit to newly promoted Girona. Most people were expecting Malaga to come away with three points, something that the surprisingly failed to achieve. Girona continued their positive start to life in the top flight, as Malaga succumbed to yet another defeat by 1:0. Manager Michel will be hoping that his players are able to pick themselves up and go fighting for the three points this Monday.
The manager of Malaga will be having a few concerns when it comes to team selection this game-week. Full backs Federico Ricca and Miguel Torres are both out with shoulder and ankle injuries respectively and are not expected to be back before October at the very least. Joining them on the injury list is winger Keko, who is a major doubt for the match due to a calf injury; although he might make the matchday squad, provided the Medics deem him to be fit for the match.
LAS PALMAS
After an average 14th place finish last season, Las Palmas would be looking to improving their consistency and aim for a higher finish in the league this year. The fans will be hoping to see their team manage their form and fitness in a better manner than last year, as Las Palmas failed to build on a solid start last year as they faltered and were almost on the brink of the bottom three positions towards the latter parts of the season. Looking at the first two matches, it is clear to see that their attacking woes have carried out from last season, as they struggle to create enough clear cut chances.
They have not spent any money on bringing in new players in the squad, barring some loan deals. They have brought in keeper Chichizola from Spezia Calcio on a free transfer, along with Ximo Navarro from Almeria, Alberto Aquilani from Pescara and Loic Remy from Chelsea. They have managed to grab some good loan deals too, with the star among the loaned players being Vitolo, who will stay at Las Palmas till Atletico are lifted from their transfer Embargo. They have also signed Barca prodigy Sergi Samper on loan for the season, along with Argentine youngster Jonathan Calleri.
The club has started off the La Liga season in terrible fashion, as they struggled against Valencia in the season opener, where they failed to create clear cut chances and ended up losing the match 1:0, although they were lucky to not have conceded at least a couple more owing to the brilliance of their goalkeeper. However, no such luck was present the next weekend when they welcomed Atletico Madrid, who romped to a 5:1 victory, as Las Palmas were struggling to make a mark in the game, barring the momentary sense of motivation when Calleri scored the goal to make it 2:1. These two league defeats mean that they have lost all of their last 7 La Liga games.
It will be hard to believe that Las Palmas could have even more negative news right now, such is their poor form, but the medical department will state otherwise. Defensive midfielders Vicente Gomez and Sergi Samper are both out with muscular injuries, and are not expected to be back before the end of September. New signing Leandro Chichizola, will miss this match with knee injury he suffered in training, while former player Vitolo will be ruing his luck after he damaged his knee just before the international break, which means he is major concern for this match.
MALAGA vs. LAS PALMAS – Match Prediction:
Both the teams have started out their campaign in very poor form, and the players seem to be shorn of confidence. The managers will be hoping that this international break will provide them some much needed mental respite, which might help them find form. Malaga and Las Palmas both have players in their squads who have the ability to turn a match on its head with moments of brilliance.
However, considering that Malaga will have the home advantage, I think that they will be the one to grab home the three points, as they also look better in defense than Las Palmas. Therefore, my prediction will be a home win in this match.
MY PICK: Malaga to Win (+114)
