Could Malaga shatter Real Madrid’s title hopes at the death?

Zinedine Zidane’s men need to avoid defeat in their final La Liga game to clinch the title.

Real Madrid travel to La Rosaleda to face Malaga in the Spanish La Liga on Sunday evening, knowing avoiding defeat will see them clinch the title.

However, they’d be sensible not to celebrate early given Malaga are in fine form this season and have produced impressive scalps on home soil that could mean a scare is in store for Los Blancos.

Malaga formidable at home in recent weeks

Míchel’s Malaga side are currently 11th in the Spanish La Liga table with 46 points from 37 games this season, coming off the back of four wins from their last five outings. The Albicelestes have been in fine form at La Rosaleda, boasting four consecutive home wins ahead of their final league game against Real Madrid.

(8/4/17) Malaga 2-0 Barcelona
(22/4/17) Malaga 2-0 Valencia
(1/5/17) Malaga 4-2 Sevilla
(7/5/17) Malaga 3-0 Celta Vigo

Malaga have taken points off Los Blancos in recent head-to-heads

Malaga were unbeaten in both league games against Real Madrid last season and have occasionally earned results in this fixture in recent years. Malaga have won one and drawn one of their last four meetings against Los Blancos at La Rosaleda and certainly haven’t been throwing in the towel despite having little to play for this season which should make for an entertaining spectacle.

2016/2017
(21/1/17) Real Madrid 2-1 Malaga
2015/2016
(21/2/16) Malaga 1-1 Real Madrid
(26/9/15) Real Madrid 0-0 Malaga
2014/2015
(18/4/15) Real Madrid 3-1 Malaga
(29/11/14) Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid
2013/2014
(15/3/14) Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid
(19/10/13) Real Madrid 2-0 Malaga
2012/2013
(8/5/13) Real Madrid 6-2 Malaga
(22/12/12) Malaga 3-2 Real Madrid
2011/2012
(18/3/12) Real Madrid 1-1 Malaga

Real Madrid’s poor defensive record gives Malaga a chance

Real Madrid have been winning on the road but they haven’t been keeping clean sheets. Zinedine Zidane’s side are currently top of the Spanish La Liga table with 90 points from 37 games this season, but have conceded 41 goals, albeit scoring 104. Real have only lost three games but they have only kept nine clean sheets despite such dominance in La Liga. Away from home, Real have shut out two sides since September, shipping seven goals in their last five games.

Malaga have taken four points off Barcelona and three points off Sevilla. They scored in the reverse fixture against Real Madrid and would love the chance to test themselves against the champions-elect. Malaga can only hold onto their 11th-placed finish in the table with a win this weekend, but defeat could see them drop two places on the final day. They have some incentive to perform, and current runners-up Barcelona are banking on Malaga giving Real a torrid time at La Rosaleda to give themselves a slim hope of defending their title.

Malaga are 8/1 to win against Real Madrid in Sunday’s Spanish La Liga clash. What will be the final score?