Real Madrid are looking sharp this new season as they prepare to host Malaga at the Bernabeu and the boys in white are expected to run the show from start to finish. With two wins already in the bag the team is full of confidence after beating Espanyol away and then hammering Real Sociedad at home where Mbappe grabbed a hat trick to light up the fans. The gaffer Jose Mourinho has kept things calm in the dressing room and the summer signings have added real depth so the squad looks ready for a long campaign. For Malaga who just returned to the top flight the task is massive as they face back to back tough trips to Madrid sides and a draw at home against Deportivo shows they are still finding their feet in the big league.
Team Form
Real Madrid have started the season on fire with attacking flair that has the whole of Spain talking but their defence has leaked goals in both games so far which means the backline needs to tighten up. Malaga on the other hand are still adjusting after promotion and their recent draw was a small step forward yet away games against Atletico and now Real are no joke for any side coming up from the lower division. The history between these two clubs shows Real dominating with four straight wins before the long break and nothing suggests that pattern will change on home soil.
- Real Madrid two wins from two matches with eight goals scored and two conceded
- Mbappe leading the attack with a hat trick already this term
- Malaga one draw and facing two straight away fixtures in the capital
- Both sides met last in 2018 with Real winning comfortably at home
Tactical Analysis
Mourinho will likely set his side to press high and exploit the spaces behind Malaga defence while using the pace of Mbappe and other forwards to create overloads. Malaga will probably sit deep and look for counter attacks or set pieces to nick something but their lack of recent top flight experience could see them struggle against the relentless pressure from the hosts. Key strengths for Real include their midfield control and clinical finishing while Malaga must improve their away organisation if they want to avoid a heavy defeat. Weaknesses on the visitors side show in their inability to keep clean sheets on the road and Real may capitalise on that with constant waves of attacks.
Betting Proposal
The smart money is on a low scoring affair where Malaga fail to find the net as Real control the game fully. With the home side in such good shape and the visitors facing a mountain to climb the best value lies in backing no goals from the away team. Both teams not to score at odds of 1.70 looks like the standout selection for this fixture given the form and the fixture difficulty. Overall this match shapes up as another statement win for Real Madrid who should cruise to victory without much drama.
