Alaves vs Malaga Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Alaves vs Malaga Game Preview

Alaves host Malaga at Mendizorroza in LaLiga on Friday. One look at the standings tells you why the hosts are -138 (Polymarket) on the moneyline against the bottom club.

Alaves sit seventh in the LaLiga standings, a solid return for a side built on winning the ball back. The worry is momentum, since they have lost their last two, most recently at Celta Vigo.

Malaga prop up the standings with four points and no league win yet. A 5-2 home thrashing by Real Sociedad last time out summed up their slump.

History leans the same way. Alaves have won four of the previous meetings between these clubs, and Malaga have managed just a single win, plus a single tie.

Alaves vs Malaga Recent Results

Alaves have failed to win their last five games in LaLiga, so a good start to the season has gone sour. The good news is the return of Angel Perez, who has put a shot on target in four of his five outings before this one. That gives a direct, wide-minded attack an extra weapon down the right.

Malaga have failed to win their last 13 games in LaLiga, and the problem is at the sharp end. Finishing is one of their clear weaknesses. They still carry a threat from direct free kicks and love to attack down the right, where David Larrubia is a regular starter.

Alaves vs Malaga Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Alaves: Facundo Garces (Injured/out, Suspended), Mikel Rodriguez (Injured/out)

Malaga: Joaquin Munoz (Injured/out), Julen Lobete (Injured/out), Aaron Ochoa (Injured/out), Diego Murillo (Injured/doubtful), Juan Cruz (Injured/doubtful)

Alaves

Alaves are still without Facundo Garces and Mikel Rodriguez, both out until April with ACL injuries, and Garces is also serving a FIFA suspension. Angel Perez is available again and is in line to start at right wing-back. Up front, Mariano is set to partner Lucas Boye, the focal point of the Alaves vs Malaga lineups for the hosts.

Malaga

Malaga are without Joaquin Munoz, who has been ruled out with a soleus injury. Julen Lobete is out until April with an ACL injury, and Aaron Ochoa has a torn meniscus that keeps him out until January. Diego Murillo (knee) and Juan Cruz (hamstring) are both doubts, while Adam Aznou is in line to start at left back.

Alaves vs Malaga Predicted Lineup

Alaves

Formation: 3-5-2 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable XI: A. Sivera; N. Valentini, V. Koski, N. Tenaglia; A. Rebbach, D. Suarez, A. Blanco, P. Ibanez, A. Perez; L. Boye, M. Diaz

Malaga

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable XI: A. Herrero; Rafita, A. Recio, F. Calero, A. Aznou; P. Martinez, C. Dotor; D. Larrubia, D. Lorenzo, A. Nino; Chupe

Alaves vs Malaga Key Stats & Game Facts

• Malaga have received 2+ cards in 4 of their last 4 games against Alaves in LaLiga.
• There have been 11+ shots on target in 3 of Malaga's last 3 games in LaLiga.
• Lucas Boye has committed 2+ fouls in 7 of his last 7 appearances in LaLiga.
• Adrian Nino has scored in 2 of his last 3 appearances in LaLiga.
• Jonny Otto has made 4+ tackles in 3 of his last 4 appearances against Malaga in LaLiga.

Alaves vs Malaga Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our Alaves vs Malaga prediction is a 3-1 home win. Alaves are excellent at stealing the ball and love to go wide and get crosses in, which is a bad matchup for a Malaga side that struggles in the air and against counter attacks. Malaga aren't toothless, though. Alaves are shaky against attacks down the wings, and that is exactly where the visitors like to go, so expect them to find the net once even as the hosts pull clear.

Best Picks

Alaves to win in the Moneyline market. They are the home favorites against a Malaga side that is bottom of the standings. This is a Moneyline play, and it's the cleanest of our Alaves vs Malaga best picks. Our projections put the Alaves win probability near 54%, and Malaga have won none of their last 9 games against all opponents. The price sits in a sensible band too, neither a short favorite nor a long shot.

Both teams to score: Yes, in the Both Teams To Score market. In the Both Teams To Score market, our projections give Yes about a 52% probability, higher than the implied probability of the available price. Alaves scoring is hardly in doubt against a defense this leaky, and Malaga's right-sided attack can hurt a home back line that struggles to defend the wings.

Alaves vs Malaga Same Game Parlay

Our Alaves vs Malaga same game parlay picks stack three Lucas Boye player props, then add Adrian Nino to score anytime for Malaga.

Boye Over 1.5 Player Fouls: the forward has been whistled for two or more fouls in each of his last seven LaLiga appearances, and this physical matchup suits him.

Boye Over 2.5 Player Shots: he has gotten off three or more shots in five of his past seven LaLiga outings, and Alaves are a team that takes plenty of shots.

Boye Over 0.5 Player Shots On Target: five of his previous seven LaLiga appearances have seen him hit the target, against a Malaga defense that struggles in the air.

Nino Anytime Goalscorer: the Malaga forward has found the net twice across his last three LaLiga games and is in line to start, which fits our view that Malaga score once.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Alaves vs Malaga Talking Points

Alaves boss Quique Sanchez Flores isn't taking the standings for granted. He warned against overconfidence, stressed the need to reverse his side's downward trend and said nobody in his lineup is an indisputable starter. Across the field, Malaga's Juanfran Funes praised how well Alaves are competing and their many tactical arguments, then called for collective responsibility in the hunt for a first league win. He also publicly defended young academy forwards Carlos Ruiz and David Larrubia from outside criticism. Larrubia's right flank is Malaga's best route to goal, so how Alaves handle it decides whether this stays comfortable.

Alaves vs Malaga Predictions FAQs

When is the Alaves vs Malaga LaLiga game?

The game kicks off on Friday at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT.

Where is Alaves vs Malaga being played?

The game is being played at Mendizorroza.

What formations are Alaves and Malaga expected to use?

Alaves are listed with a probable 3-5-2 formation and Malaga with a probable 4-2-3-1 formation.

Which players are injured for Alaves and Malaga?

For Alaves, F. Garces and M. Rodriguez are listed as injured. For Malaga, J. Lobete, A. Ochoa and J. Munoz are listed as injured, while D. Murillo and J. Cruz are listed as doubtful.

Affiliate Disclosure

We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.

Please gamble responsibly. 21+.