Malaga v Valladolid predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Malaga v Valladolid predictions Primera Division Spain, Spain	20/10/2012 16:00	asian handicap	Malaga -1	2.04	Bet at 188bet
Betting prediction was written by Matt

Malaga v Valladolid predictions and preview: Betting stats

Malaga sit 3^rd in La Liga after the opening 7 games with 14 points (W4 D2 L1). Their form is fairly solid at WWDWL, the defeat coming away at the unbeaten Atletico Madrid. At home they look good having notched up two wins and a draw from their 3 games. Their games are fairly low scoring with an average of just 2.14 goals a game; only 3 games over 2.5 goals, 4 with less.

Valladolid are performing above expectations and sit 8^th in the league with 10 points (W3 D1 L3). They started the season well and their form reads LLLWD. They arrested their losing streak with a thumping home win against Rayo Vallecano. Away from home they have won one and lost two. Their games average slightly more goals than their opponents at 2.57 but they have fewer games (2) with more than 2.5 goals, while 5 of their ties have remained below 2.5 goals.

These two sides haven’t met since 2010 as Valladolid spent the last couple of seasons in the Segunda Division. Both ties in the 09/10 ended as draws. Overall Valladolid lead the head-to-head record but those games came before the large investment in Malaga.

Team News and Run of Play

Malaga have a couple of long-term injuries but no recent lay-offs. Julio Baptista has said this week that he could be out for a further four or five months while Jeremy Toulalan has been out for about 7 months and there seems to be no sign of his return just yet either. Valladolid are set to be without Lluis Sastre who has only played a bit part this season so far.

Financial troubles blighted Malaga’s summer but some big names remain not least those with scoring pedigree. They may be getting on in years but the likes of Javier Saviola, Roque Santa Cruz and winger Joaquin are still able to score goals. Malaga’s defence has been their strong point this season as they are the league’s meanest backline. Their recent defeat at Atletico Madrid only came thanks to a last minute own goal and they have played really well in the Champions League so far; two 3-0 wins.

Valladolid started the season in impressive form with consecutive wins and then embarked on a three match losing streak. They arrested that with a very impressive 6-1 win against Rayo Vallecano but had every reason to be unhappy with their performance in their 1-1 draw at home to Espanyol. Their strikeforce of Oscar Gonzalez and former Man Utd striker Manucho have grabbed most of their goals but their goalscoring stats have been slightly skewed by that huge win.

I think Malaga will probably take the game to Valladolid. They know they have the best team from front to back and I think it goes without saying that they’ll be looking to beat Valladolid with some ease. Valladolid might be dreaming of European football next season but they are yet to face the big two and Malaga may be a warm up for those fixtures.

Malaga v Valladolid predictions: 1X2 betting preview

For me, looking at recent performances it seems likely that this will be a Malaga win. They have performed well at home and haven’t been conceding goals. They have scored 8 in 3 at home and only 3 further goals in 4 games away from home. Only 2 of Valladolid’s 11 goals this season have come away from home so all signs point to a home win.

You can back Malaga at 1.60 with Pinnacle if you agree.

Malaga v Valladolid predictions: Asian Handicap preview

I think if you have confidence in their ability then backing Malaga -1 on the Asian handicap is a good bet at 2.04 with 188bet. I can see them probably winning by 2 goals so that should be a winner. If they don’t quite manage that margin then at least your stake is returned.

If you believe they’ll win with ease, back Malaga -1 with 188bet here.

Malaga v Valladolid predictions: Total Goals preview

I think Malaga should win this game by a couple of goals but if they do concede against Valladolid then surely over 2.5 goals is the bet. Neither side tend to see many games over 2.5 goals this season but I have a feeling both sides can attack with strength and perhaps neither defence will deal with them.

If you see goals, back over 2.5 goals at 1.89 with Pinnacle.