Malaga vs Barcelona
Spain – La Liga
Date: Saturday, 10 March 2018
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio La Rosaleda (Malaga).
Malaga are already one foot into the Segunda Division after a streak of six straight losses in the elite class. Jose Gonzalez’s men sit eight points away from safety and they are just about to take on the league’s heavyweights and table-toppers Barcelona in the last game of the day on Saturday.
The gulf in quality between the two rivals is just enormous and we just can’t see how Malaga could make an upset here. Yes, Blaugrana did slip up on their previous travel playing only a 1-1 draw with relegation strugglers Las Palmas, but we doubt Ernesto Valverde’s side will make such an error for the second time in a row.
This can especially be said after the 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid which has led Barcelona into safe waters once again since Blaugrana are eight points clear off the second-placed Mattressers ahead of this trip to Estadio La Rosaleda. Valverde will likely make some changes to his starting lineup given that his side has a tough Champions League fixture against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, the names of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will likely feature the starting lineup, just as Philippe Coutinho who can’t help his teammates in the continental competition. This should really be enough for Blaugrana to ease their way to a new success here and there is just no point in backing anything else but a comprehensive away victory on Saturday at La Rosaleda.
Malaga vs Barcelona: Head-to-head
Barcelona have slipped up on their previous visit to Malaga when the Anchovies took a shocking 2-0 victory back in April last year.
Overall, Malaga have rarely scored gaols against Barca who have kept a clean sheet in sic of last nine meetings with the Anchovies.
The clash from this La Liga campaign saw Barcelona snatch a comfortable 2-0 victory in October last year.
Malaga vs Barcelona: Prediction
Barca will want to close this out in the first half and we do find the value in backing the visitors to have the lead at the half time and win the match at the end at the odds of 1.72.
We will alternatively take Barcelona to keep a clean sheet at 1.80.
Malaga vs Barcelona: Bet Tips
HT/FT Barcelona/Barcelona @ 1.72
Barcelona to keep a clean sheet @ 1.80
