Monday’s Spanish Primera Division action sees Malaga bid to keep their push for a European place on track with a tricky derby trip to face struggling Andalusian rivals Granada.
Manuel Pellegrini’s big-spending Malaga outfit have stuttered of late, but he will hope last weekend’s first win in seven outings against Sevilla will mark the start of a good run of results given that they currently sit just four points behind Levante who occupy fourth spot in the standings.
However, their task will not be helped by the continued absence of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Julio Baptista and Joaquin as the trio continue to work their way back to full fitness following injury problems.
The loss of Joaquin in particular is significant given that he scored a brace, along with midfielder Santi Cazorla, in a comprehensive 4-0 victory at La Rosaleda in the corresponding clash earlier in the season.
However, defender Weligton is confident that Malaga will travel to face Granada in good heart looking to pick up as many points as they possibly can from the ‘important’ next five or six fixtures.
But he is expecting a tough encounter against a side which could be back in the relegation places by the time the match kicks off at Los Carmenes on Monday evening.
He said on the club’s website: “They’re playing at home with a new manager (Abel Resino) who’s motivating the team and it’s going to be a very difficult match.
“Everyone sets out their own objective, of being as high up as possible, but we know that we have to win the next match.
“It’s close, we have to be focused and we know the importance of getting the win.”
Granada benefitted from new manager syndrome in their previous outing after recording a valuable 2-1 win against Real Betis to end their own run of poor results.
Resino bolstered El Grana with a transfer deadline day loan swoop for Sao Paulo’s exciting 20-year-old Brazilian striker Henrique, who could well make his first-team debut in the encounter.
As we mentioned earlier, Malaga were comfortable winners in the most recent Andalusian derby in September, but the two sides’ overall Primera Division record is very even with both teams enjoying four wins apiece with five draws.
We expect a tight game with both sides desperate for points to help their respective targets for the remainder of the campaign, but Malaga should have just enough to edge the points.
Prediction: Malaga Away Win 90 Minutes @ 13/10
Value Bet: Malaga To Win 2-1 Correct Score @ 8/1

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