Prediction: Malaga vs Levante

14th November 2010

Malaga are still searching for their first points at La Rosaleda, although the Cup victory over Hercules certainly gave the team a much needed boost before this relegation derby. Levante, on the other hand, lost their third game in a row and they have to give everything they can to avoid defeat in this match.

Having escaped relegation on the final day of last season, Malaga gave their best not to repeat another such campaign with the club signing decent players over the summer. Nonetheless, while the new players were adapting to the new surroundings, coach Jesualdo Ferreira struggled to make the team play to his potential and the former Porto boss was sacked after the dismal start to the season, as the club board believed a change of personnel would shake up the players before the decisive battles in La Liga. The arrival of Manuel Pellegrini has already started to produce results with Malaga recording a morale-boosting win over Hercules in Copa del Rey and they now have to take that form into their league campaign. Malaga have no shortage of good players and with Manuel Pellegrini on the bench, they will have more than enough time to turn this season around, starting from Levante game. Alberto Luque and Gaspar Manolo are back to contention, but Ruben and Rondon remain sidelined.

Levante were always expected to struggle this season as they are seen as one of the weakest sides in La Liga and nobody is surprised to see them in the relegation zone. Apart from the period of some three weeks that saw Levante win two games and draw with Real Madrid, the team have been very disappointing most of the time and they are currently on a three-match losing run in La Liga. The perfect testament to their poor form is home defeat to second division side Xerez in Copa del Rey, so everything suggests the team from Valencia will have big problems at La Rosaleda. To add insult to injury, the visitors are set to miss several first team regulars through injuries, which will only damage their chances of getting something from this clash. Hector Rosas, Nacho Gonzalez, Iborra, Miguel Perez, Asier del Horno and Xavi Torres are all unavailable, leaving coach Luis Garcia with very small squad to choose from.

Conclusion

Malaga lost all home games this season, but the team obviously have more potential than they are showing and the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini should help the team kick-start their season. In addition to being the weakest side in the league that are going through a very rough patch, Levante will be missing several first team regulars, so they should be happy if they avoid a real beating at La Rosaleda.

Verdict: Home win Malaga (1)

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: William Hill