Alavés
- In the 2026/2027 season, Alavés have won 3 and lost 2 of 5 home LaLiga games, averaging 2.00 goals per game.
- Alavés are the clear favorites at 1.87 for Friday's LaLiga 2026-2027 clash with Malaga CF at Estadio Mendizorroza, which comes in as Malaguistas are in 20th place in the table with just four points from eight games compared to Alavés' 11.
- Their two most recent outings produced a 0-0 away draw at Athletic Bilbao and a 1-2 home defeat to Atlético Madrid, so they have yet to hit their stride in the current campaign.
Málaga
- Málaga have won 0, drawn 1 and lost 3 of 4 away LaLiga trips, averaging 0.25 goals.
- The Malaguistas are also struggling, with a 1-1 home draw with Espanyol keeping the pressure on them after their 0-1 away defeat to Getafe.
Head-to-Head
- The last two meetings between these clubs are split 1-1 but Alavés won 2-1 when last in LaLiga 2 in 2022/23 and Málaga haven't won here since.
- Their system should favour the hosts, who can punish the space behind Málaga's press with their direct play.
Key Players
- Lucas Boyé has scored 4 of Alavés's last 7 goals.
- This game will be a clash of two different philosophies with Quique Sánchez Flores setting Alavés up in a compact 5-3-2 that sits deep, presses well and counterattacks fast when they win the ball.
- Funes has Málaga playing wider and more aggressively, using their full-backs and flank overloads to stretch opponents, then pressing them when they get the ball.
Betting Insights
- But Juan Funes' side are a real threat and their price of 4.1 in this fixture is a bit too short for our taste.
- The draw at 3.45 is also off-putting because both sides have something to offer in this contest.
- The 1.7 about this being an under 2.5 goals game also seems appropriate for what will probably be a tight contest with Alavés in charge while the 1.83 about both teams to score no also appeals as the home side will control the match.
Prediction
- Backing Alavés to nick this one seems sensible because of the way they are set up and the fact that Málaga are still looking to find their groove in the Spanish top flight.
- The 1.7 under 2.5 goals angle and the 1.83 for both teams to score no both align with a tight, controlled performance from the home side.
