Overview
Malaga started the 2026-2027 La Liga season with a 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid. However, Juan Francisco Funes' team had a positive performance for most of the match. It was not until the 70th minute that Atletico broke the deadlock thanks to new signing Lee Kang-in before sealing the victory.
They won the right to return to La Liga through the Segunda Division play-offs last season, thereby making their first appearance in the top division of Spain since the 2017-2018 season.
Malaga has brought in four new players in the summer transfer window, including Juan Cruz, Pablo Martinez, Fernando Calero and Jose Salinas. In the opposite direction, 6 first-team players have left the club and are expected to have more fluctuations before the transfer market closes.
Malaga has only won 11 of their last 44 encounters with Deportivo in all competitions, while the opponent has 17 wins. Last season, Malaga defeated Deportivo 3-0 at home, but the second leg in April ended in a 1-1 draw.
Deportivo also returned to La Liga after finishing second in Segunda Division last season. Notably, this is also the first time the blue and white team has returned to the highest league in Spain since the 2017-2018 season.
The gap between Malaga, the fourth-placed team, and Deportivo, the second-placed team, was only 4 points last season. Therefore, the competition between the two teams this season is predicted to continue to be close.
Antonio Hidalgo's team opened La Liga 2026-2027 with a 1-1 draw against Elche. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored on his debut for Deportivo, before Marc Aguado scored to help Elche regain a point.
Deportivo has brought in 7 new players in the summer, while 6 other players have left. Deportivo is expected to continue operating in the transfer market before the summer market closes. Hidalgo needs to quickly complete the force if he wants to help the team maintain its position in La Liga.
Personnel situation
Malaga will welcome Aaron Ochoa back to the squad after he completes his suspension. However, Adrian Nino, Diego Murillo, Juanpe, Fernando Calero and Moussa Diarra are all having injury problems.
Head coach Funes is likely to keep the starting lineup even though Malaga suffered a defeat to Atletico in the opening match. Their performance in general still brings positive signs.
Chupe is the biggest hope in Malaga's attack. This striker scored 25 goals in the Spanish second division last season and is expected to continue to play the spearhead role.
On the Deportivo side, Yeremay Hernandez will be absent due to a groin injury, while Noe Carrillo needs to undergo further medical check-ups to determine his ability to play.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in his debut match for Deportivo and is likely to continue to lead the away team's attack.
Lorenzo Amatucci is also expected to start in the center of midfield after an impressive performance in his first match for Deportivo.
Expected lineup:
Herrero, Puga, Recio, Galilea, Rafita, Merino, Larrubia, Dotor, Lorenzo, Munoz, Chupe.
Roman, Navarro, Noubi, Ede, Quagliata, Soriano, Amatucci, Altimira, Nsongo, Asp Jensen, Aubameyang.
The match between Malaga and Deportivo takes place at 2:30 am on August 25 (Vietnam time).
