Malaga vs Real Madrid preview

January 9, 2012
By: Frank Beresford

Malaga missed a great chance to create an advantage before the return leg, and ended up losing the first game 3:2 after squandering a two-goal lead, but los Boquerrones will have another opportunity to beat their more illustrious opponents.

The La Rosaleda outfit started the season in bright fashion after the heavy summer recruitment, but have since suffered a big dip in form.

It is more than clear that Manuel Pellegrini’s side will need some more time to gel, and with key players not performing to their potential, it is no wonder Malaga struggle to keep up with their top 4 rivals.

After sharing spoils with Atletico Madrid in La Liga, los Boquerrones have got a great chance to kick-start their season with a win over high-flying Real Madrid, but even at odds of 8.00 (7/1) offered by bet365, I see no point in backing the hosts here.

Malaga have been pretty impressive at their La Rosaleda this season, but the 4:0 defeat to Real Madrid still hurts, so this will be a perfect opportunity to get some revenge.

Boss Manuel Pellegrini is expected to make some changes to the starting line-up, but we should see the same side that started the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Caballero – Sanchez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Monreal – Cazorla, Toulalan, Apono, Isco – Van Nistelrooy, Fernandez.

Having just extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points, Real Madrid can fully focus on their Copa del Rey clash with Malaga, looking to clinch their place in the competition quarter-finals.

Los Blancos looked to be in big problems when they started the second period of the first leg against Malaga trailing their opponents by two goals, but the team showed a real character and ended up winning the game 3:2.

Considering that they have already hammered the same opponent at La Rosaleda in La Liga, odds of 1.44 (4/9) offered by Paddy Power on away win look too good to pass.

The visitors enter the game full of confidence after the 5:1 victory over Granada in La Liga, which was their fifth straight victory in all competitions.

Karim Benzema is likely to miss out after suffering a blow to his tibia, whereas Angel Di Maria and Ricardo Carvalho are not yet ready to feature.

Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Coentrao and Pepe could all start the game, with Jose Callejon also expected in the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Casillas – Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao – Khedira, Alonso – Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo – Higuain.

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