Match Information
Match Overview
Malaga host Real Sociedad at La Rosaleda on October 18 in Regular Season - Round 9 of La Liga, a matchday where the shape of the season begins to emerge. The table places the two sides far apart: Malaga are 20th, while Real Sociedad sit 6th. That gap gives the fixture clear weight for both clubs, with the hosts looking for traction at the bottom of the standings and the visitors keeping pace in the upper half.
The primary factor is Malaga's league form. Their last five matches, all in La Liga, produced no wins: three draws and two defeats. They drew 0-0 with Levante on September 6, drew 1-1 at Celta Vigo on September 13, lost 3-1 at home to Villarreal on September 17, lost 1-0 at Getafe on September 20, and drew 1-1 with Espanyol at home on October 9. That is three goals scored in five matches, and the 3-1 loss to Villarreal is the only game in which they conceded more than once. Draws have kept them in games, but the lack of victories explains their position.
The secondary factor is Real Sociedad's schedule and results. They beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 at home on October 11 in La Liga and won 3-2 at Valencia on September 20. Their October 15 UEFA Europa League match at Union St. Gilloise ended 1-1, so they arrive at La Rosaleda three days after a continental away trip. That is a scheduling factor, and nothing in the data shows how it will affect them. Their league games have been high-scoring, with five goals scored and four conceded across the last two.
Neither side has reported injuries, so both managers, Juan Funes and P. Matarazzo, should have full squads to choose from. Malaga's need for points meets a Real Sociedad side scoring freely but conceding regularly.
Predicted Lineups
Malaga
A. Herrero; C. Puga, F. Calero, A. Recio, Rafita; R. Rodriguez, D. Larrubia, D. Lorenzo, P. Martinez, J. Munoz; Chupe
Real Sociedad
Unai Marrero; Zubeldia, Jon Martín, M. Sarr, Sergio Gómez; J. Ochieng, Jon Gorrotxategi, Y. Herrera, Gonçalo Guedes; L. Sučić, Mikel Oyarzabal
Team Form Analysis
Malaga
League Position: 20Malaga Form Analysis
Malaga's last five matches, all in La Liga, produced three draws and two defeats, with no wins. Their most recent result was a 1-1 home draw with Espanyol on October 9, which followed a 1-0 loss at Getafe on September 20 and a 3-1 home loss to Villarreal on September 17.
The attack has struggled for volume. Malaga scored three goals in five matches, and none of their games produced more than one Malaga goal. Two of the five finished with the same scoreline, 1-1, while the opener against Levante on September 6 ended 0-0.
Defensively the picture is mixed. They kept one clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with Levante and conceded once in three other matches, so the Villarreal game stands out as the only one in which they let in more than one. That level of resistance has kept them competitive, but it has not turned draws into wins.
Read our explore the full matchup data for additional insight on this fixture.
The opposition included Levante, Celta Vigo, Villarreal, Getafe and Espanyol, so the sample is all league and offers a consistent view of where they stand. Two of the three draws were at home or level on the road, but the lack of wins is the clear concern.
Real Sociedad
League Position: 6Real Sociedad Form Analysis
Real Sociedad's recent results are mixed across competitions but good in La Liga. They won both league matches in the sample: 3-2 at home to Deportivo La Coruna on October 11 and 3-2 at Valencia on September 20. That is six goals scored and four conceded, so their league games have been open and decided by one goal.
Their European run is less settled. They lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth in the Europa League League Stage on September 17 and drew 1-1 at Union St. Gilloise on October 15. The latter came three days before this fixture, which is relevant as schedule context only. They also lost 1-0 to Athletic Club in a club friendly on October 2, a result with limited competitive weight.
Across the five listed matches they scored nine goals and conceded eight, and the only match in which they failed to score was the friendly. The attack has produced regularly, though the defence has conceded in every match listed.
The league opponents, Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna, both scored twice, which shows an opposition ability to create chances against them. That runs alongside their own scoring output.
Head-to-Head
Malaga
Real Sociedad
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-07 | Malaga | 0 - 1 | Real Sociedad |
| 2018-04-22 | Malaga | 2 - 0 | Real Sociedad |
| 2017-12-10 | Real Sociedad | 0 - 2 | Malaga |
| 2017-05-14 | Real Sociedad | 2 - 2 | Malaga |
| 2017-01-16 | Malaga | 0 - 2 | Real Sociedad |
| 2016-02-27 | Real Sociedad | 1 - 1 | Malaga |
| 2015-10-03 | Malaga | 3 - 1 | Real Sociedad |
| 2015-04-04 | Malaga | 1 - 1 | Real Sociedad |
| 2014-11-01 | Real Sociedad | 0 - 1 | Malaga |
| 2014-02-17 | Malaga | 0 - 1 | Real Sociedad |
Memorable Matches
The most recent meeting in the data came on January 7, 2024, when Real Sociedad won 1-0 at Malaga. It was the latest in a run of narrow results between the sides; the previous February 17, 2014 match at La Rosaleda also finished 1-0 to Real Sociedad.
Malaga have enjoyed notable results too. They won 2-0 at home on April 22, 2018, and had won 2-0 away at Real Sociedad on December 10, 2017, giving them back-to-back victories without conceding. Earlier, on October 3, 2015, Malaga won 3-1 at La Rosaleda, the highest-scoring Malaga win in this list.
Draws have also been frequent, including 2-2 on May 14, 2017, and 1-1 on April 4, 2015 and February 27, 2016. Of the ten listed meetings, Malaga won four, Real Sociedad won three and three were drawn.
Venue Factor
La Rosaleda hosts this fixture, and the data gives only limited venue evidence for Malaga this season. Their two listed home league matches ended in a 1-1 draw with Espanyol on October 9
Injury Concerns
Malaga
Real Sociedad
