Verdict: Eibar win
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to find a route into the top-half of the Segunda standings, Eibar will welcome Malaga to the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on Monday night.
Eibar
Starting with the hosts, while Eibar might have endured a public struggle when returning from Spain’s festive break, Los Armeros have turned somewhat of a recent corner. Despite being forced to settle for a 2-2 stalemate away at Zaragoza last week, Benat San Jose’s men have suffered just a single Segunda defeat since the start of February. While the Gipuzkoa-based outfit might have only collected a single point from four of their previous five outings, Eibar find just their goal difference keeping them outside the top-half. Smelling what is a golden opportunity here, Monday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their rugged success at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua. Including a 2-1 victory against play-off contenders Huesca last month, Eibar have tasted just a sole Segunda defeat in Gipuzkoa since way back on November 2nd.
Eibar Team News
Suffering a long-term knee injury at the back end of February, Eibar will once again be without academy graduate Ander Madariaga on Monday night. However, missing out away at Real Zaragoza last week, veteran striker Jose Corpas Serna could be handed a full recall.
Notching a Segunda brace against Zaragoza and now registering five goals in his previous seven appearances, former Real Sociedad marksman Jon Bautista will play a leading role in the final third. One-time Barcelona starlet Arnau Comas should keep his spot at the heart of Eibar’s defence.
Malaga
As for the visitors, while Malaga might have claimed a much-welcomed 2-0 win against Racing Ferrol last month, it appears that was nothing more than a minor boost for Sergio Pellicer’s camp. Despite only making their Segunda return this season, the Andalusia-based outfit find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap and they have a real battle on their hands. Last seen earlier in the week falling to a 1-0 loss away at Huesca, the former Valencia coach has seen his squad lose each of their previous three Segunda appearances. Likewise, Malaga have also lost five of their last six second-tier showdowns. Showing a string of issues since opening the New Year, Monday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their struggles on the road. In fact, Pellicer’s side have lost their previous three consecutive matchups outside of Andalusia by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Malaga Team News
Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list, Malaga will once again be without the likes of Ramon Enriquez, Haitam Abaida, Daniel Lorenzo and one-time Sevilla midfielder Luismi on Monday night. However, both serving respective one-match suspensions last week, the duo of Daniel Sanchez and Kevin Medina will return to Pellicer’s squad.
Settling for a spot on the bench against Huesca, ex-Atletico Madrid youngster Carlos Puga could be handed a full recall. Former Espanyol star Manel Molina will partner Juanpe in the middle of the park here.
Eibar vs Malaga Key Factors to Consider
- When Eibar and Malaga met for their reverse Segunda meeting on October 27th, Monday’s guests collected a 1-0 victory at La Rosaleda.
- However, Eibar claimed a 2-1 win when they welcomed Malaga to Gipuzkoa last season.
- Eibar have collected nine points from their previous four Segunda meetings against Malaga.
- Monday’s hosts have tasted just a sole Segunda defeat in Gipuzkoa since way back on November 2nd.
- Pellicer’s side have lost their previous three consecutive matchups outside of Andalusia by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can skyrocket their way into the top-half of the Segunda standings on Monday night, Eibar should be smelling a real opportunity here. Suffering just a single second-tier defeat in Gipuzkoa since way back on November 2nd, Los Armeros should be relishing Malaga’s arrival. Landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Monday’s guests to town last season, we are expecting a similar outcome.
Verdict: Eibar win
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Luckster
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