La Liga preview and odds: Malaga vs Celta de Vigo

Published on: 01/01/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Malaga vs Celta de Vigo

January 02, 2016 21:05pm - La Roseleda

La Liga

In-form Malaga will go in search of their fourth straight win on Saturday when they host European hopefuls Celta de Vigo at La Roseleda in La Liga.

Malaga unbeaten in five

After a dreadful start to the season that saw them sink to the bottom of the table after 12 games played, Malaga have turned their season around with a run of five games unbeaten during which they added 11 points to their overall tally.

As a result, Los Boquerones have climbed to 11th place in the table and are now six points clear of the drop zone. Remarkably, they have scored less goals than any team in the league but have conceded the second fewest.

Last time out, they won by a single goal away to Levante to record their third straight win. That goal, scored by Duda, was only their third strike away from home this season.

Celta hanging on to Euro hopes

After a blistering start to the season which saw them briefly claim top spot in the table, Celta have kept up their strong form and are just seven points adrift of all-conquering Barcelona. More importantly, they still occupy a European qualification position and are just two points away from a Champions League berth.

The Galician side have only lost once on the road this season - away to arch rivals Deportivo La Coruna - and have only lost one of their last five at home or away. That defeat came last time out when they were beaten 1-0 at home by athletic club Bilbao.

Team news

The home side will be without Marcos Angeleri, Flavio Ferreira and Miguel Torres.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without joint-top scorer Nolito and defender Andreu Fontas.

Recent form (League)

Malaga: WWWDD

Celta de Vigo: LWWDW

Betting odds and tips

Malaga are in good form but they are hosting a team that has been beaten just once on the road in La Liga since March. As a result, the draw looks the best bet at 23/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 01/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (01/01/2016 16:37:48) but are subject to change.