Malaga vs Real Madrid preview

December 21, 2012
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Malaga will fancy their chances against mighty Real Madrid following the impressive away win over Sevilla, whereas los Blancos will be very motivated to make amends for the home draw against Espanyol.

Many people believed Malaga would crumble due to the catastrophic financial situation at the club and a new venture called the Champions League, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side have done really well to defy the odds in the first part of the season.

Los Boquerones not only won their Champions League group, leaving Milan, Zenit and Anderlecht to trail in their wake, but also climbed to top 4 in Spanish La Liga, hoping to ensure another season of Champions League football.

Following a small dip in form during November, Malaga improved to record back to back wins over Granada and Sevilla, and they certainly won’t be too downhearted by the 1-1 draw with Eibar in Copa del Rey.

With Real Betis breathing down their necks in La Liga, los Boquerones are 6.00 (5/1) at SkyBet to win their third successive league fixture.

On the other hand, Malaga to score two goals or more pays as much as 3.20 (11/5) at Sportingbet, one of Europe’s top bookmakers.

The hosts will have a special incentive to win this game as boss Manuel Pellegrini has promised his players would get 31st December and 1st January off if the team pick up at least 30 points before the winter break (currently on 28).

A number of first team regulars will return after they were rested in midweek, but Julio Baptista and Jeremy Toulalan remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Gamez, Demichelis, Weligton, Monreal – Camacho, Iturra – Joaquin, Isco, Eliseu – Saviola.

This season is turning out to be quite a disappointment for Real Madrid, but los Blancos still have enough time to make the best out of their campaign.

Home setback against struggling Espanyol saw arch rivals Barcelona create a 13-point cushion at the La Liga summit, so it is more than clear los Merengues are already out of the title race.

However, finishing the league campaign behind other rivals Atletico Madrid would be a huge blow for the club, which is why Jose Mourinho’s men are eager to return to the second place as quickly as possible.

Real Madrid have been dealt with a major blow in their attempt to win the 10th European Cup title as they were pitted against Manchester United in the last 16 stage, but the reality is los Blancos will have to defeat some of Europe’s best sides if they want to win the coveted title.

They now need to turn towards the Malaga clash which will be anything but a walk in the park, but, even so, odds of 1.62 (5/8) offered by 888sport on away win do look tempting.

Cristiano Ronaldo is 1.57 (4/7) with William Hill to score at least once and 3.20 (11/5) with Paddy Power to score two or more goals at La Rosaleda.

Gonzalo Higuain, Marcelo, Raul Albiol and Raphael Varane remain sidelined, while Fabio Coentrao is doubtful. Karim Benzema should return.

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

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