Real Madrid vs Malaga football prediction in La Liga

Overview

Real Madrid is having a promising start in the second term of coach Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu. Los Blancos won all 6 points after the first two rounds and are currently ranked second in the La Liga standings, thereby early showing their ambition to compete for the championship.

Real Madrid's campaign began with a 2-1 victory over Espanyol. Jude Bellingham opened the score, before the home team brought the match back to balance. When the confrontation seemed to end in a draw, Carlos Espi came on as a substitute and scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute, helping Mourinho have a favorable opening match.

If the victory over Espanyol is not really convincing, Real Madrid quickly dispels doubts with an overwhelming performance against Real Sociedad. They won 4-1 at the Bernabeu, in which Kylian Mbappe became a prominent figure with a hat-trick. Vinicius Junior scored the remaining goal, showing that the Royal team's attack is gradually finding synergy.

After the last La Liga title in the 2023-2024 season, Real Madrid set a goal to bring the title back to the Bernabeu. Two early season victories are not enough to draw conclusions, but initial signs show that Mourinho's team possesses the quality and depth needed to compete for the throne.

Bernabeu continues to be an important fulcrum. Real Madrid has only suffered one home defeat in La Liga in 2026. With their current form, the task of winning points in Madrid becomes a very big challenge for Malaga.

While the home team started perfectly, Malaga is clearly feeling the harshness of La Liga after 8 years of absence. Funes' team lost to Atletico Madrid 0-2 in the opening round, before winning the first point with a 1-1 draw with Deportivo La Coruna.

The confrontation with Deportivo is of great significance to Malaga. Both clubs were relegated from La Liga in 2018 and had to go through a long journey before returning to the highest level of Spanish football this season together.

Malaga qualified for promotion through the Segunda Division play-offs last season. After finishing the season in fourth place, they faced Almeria in the decisive match. Malaga drew 0-0 at home in the first leg before winning 2-1 away, officially returning to La Liga after 8 years of waiting.

However, the trip to Bernabeu poses a challenge at a completely different level. Not only inferior in force and form, Malaga is also clearly inferior in head-to-head record.

Real Madrid has won 4 and drawn 1 in the last 5 matches against Malaga. Further back, the Royal team has been unbeaten in 11 consecutive encounters between the two teams, winning 9 and only being held to a draw by Malaga twice.

The last time the two teams met was in April 2018, which was also the season Malaga had to be relegated. At that time, Real Madrid won 2-1 at the opponent's home ground.

Expected lineup:

Real Madrid: Courtois, Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella, Silva, Valverde, Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe.

Herrero, Puga, Recio, Galilea, Rafita, Lorenzo, Merino, Cruz, Dotor, Munoz, Chupe.