Malaga
- With 41 points from 26 games, Malaga CF are 6th in LaLiga 2 and firmly in the promotion places, while Albacete Balompie sit 13th with 34 points after 26 games and have yet to settle on a place in mid-table.
- Malaga have won their last two LaLiga 2 games at home.
- Malaga CF are looking to keep their momentum going at La Rosaleda, where they have eight wins, four draws and just one loss after 13 matches.
Albacete
- Albacete have been in mixed form away from home with four wins, five draws and four defeats from 13 attempts.
- Albacete Balompie travel to La Rosaleda with a pragmatic 5-4-1 setup and play with a back five against most teams with Alberto Gonzalez in charge, who demands that his side sit deep and defend with discipline before transitioning quickly when they win possession.
Head-to-Head
Malaga had the better of Albacete when they won the same fixture 3-1 in the opposite direction two months ago.
Key Players
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Malaga:
- Chupe is Malaga’s leading marksman in Spain’s LaLiga 2 with 10 goals in 23 appearances.
- David Larrubia has 5 of Malaga’s last 8 goals and can provide the firepower from midfield.
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Albacete:
- Jefte Betancor has scored 2 goals in Albacete’s 5 games and is their most dangerous forward at the moment.
- Agus Medina has 7 LaLiga 2 goals in 24 games and can spark the visitors’ counterattacks.
- Albacete are likely to pack their defence for this contest and try to catch Malaga on the counterattack, so a tight, low-scoring game seems likely.
Betting Insights
- Malaga are the leading favourites to win on Sunday at 1.9, with Albacete priced at 4.0 and the draw at 3.4.
- Albacete’s away record in LaLiga 2 is W4, D5, L4 in 13 outings.
- With odds of 1.83, Under 2.5 goals looks like a decent play.
- Malaga have conceded an average of just 1.00 goals per home game in their 13 LaLiga 2 home matches this season, allowing 13 goals in total.
- Albacete have conceded 17 goals in 13 away games.
Prediction
- Malaga have the momentum and better home record in this clash of styles, with Albacete looking to spoil the game while counterattacking when they can.
- Malaga’s high pressing game against Albacete’s low block and transition play sets up a classic clash of the two styles and it is likely to come down to who controls the tempo in midfield.
- Back Malaga to edge a competitive game on home turf.
