The two sides were tipped to battle each other for a top 4 finish before the season started, but while Malaga are on course for first Champions League qualification in their history, Villarreal find themselves at the wrong end of the table.

The Yellow Submarine had a dismal start to the league campaign, but everybody expected the team to come good at one point.

However, while Villarreal showed some improvement after the winter break, they were unable to break away from the bottom three and now sit just four points above the relegation zone.

Miguel Angel Lotina’s side were not punished for the 3-1 defeat to Betis as all three sides below them lost their respective matches, but another slip up could prove costly.

The hosts have no choice but to go for a win against high-flying Malaga, and you should know 888sport pays 2.60 (8/5) on home win.

Angel Lopez misses out through suspension, but Cristian Zapata returns from suspension and Nilmar could start after recovering from injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Diego Lopez – Mario, Musacchio, Zapata, Oriol – Borja Valero, Senna, Bruno, Cani – Nilmar, Ruben.

Not too many people saw Malaga as serious top 4 contenders despite the heavy summer spending, but los Boquerones are starting to prove the doubters wrong.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side had a pretty indifferent start to the season but they kept improving as the league campaign unfolded and now sit in third place in the standings.

After winning six of their last eight games Malaga sit two points clear of fifth-placed Levante and they are 2.90 (19/10) with BetVictor to win this game and thus cement the third place in the standings.

Joaquin Sanchez, Willy Caballero, Julio Baptista, Jeremy Toulalan and Juanmi are all sidelined through injury, whereas Martin Demichelis and Isco are suspended.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Kameni – Gamez, Weligton, Mathijsen, Monreal – Maresca, Duda – Cazorla, Fernandez, Eliseu – Rondon.