Match Information
Match Overview
Malaga host Villarreal at Estadio La Rosaleda on September 17 in a Regular Season - 6 fixture that carries clear relegation-zone significance, with the two sides sitting 17th and 18th in the table respectively as the early-season table begins to take shape.
With both clubs occupying the bottom reaches of La Liga, this match functions as a direct battle between two teams needing points to move away from danger. Malaga's record shows three draws and two defeats across their opening five matches, including a heavy 4-0 loss to Real Madrid on August 30, while Villarreal have picked up just one point from their five league outings, highlighted by back-to-back defeats to Real Betis on September 14 and Deportivo La Coruna on September 5. Neither manager, Funes at Malaga nor Iñigo Pérez at Villarreal, can afford to see this gap widen, making the game a pivotal early marker for how each side's season develops.
Fatigue and fixture congestion may also play a role for Villarreal, who played a UEFA Champions League League Stage match against Borussia Dortmund on September 8, losing 3-2, sandwiched between league fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis. Balancing continental commitments with a struggling league campaign adds an extra layer of difficulty for Iñigo Pérez's squad as they arrive at La Rosaleda.
On the injury front, both squads are reported at full strength, with no injuries listed for either Malaga or Villarreal ahead of this fixture. That means both managers should be able to select from their strongest available options, placing the emphasis squarely on tactics and current form rather than enforced changes.
With both teams winless in their last several league matches and occupying the lower reaches of the standings, this meeting shapes up as a significant early-season contest with direct relegation-battle implications for both sides.
Predicted Lineups
Malaga
Alfonso Herrero; Rafita, Ángel Recio, Einar Galilea, José Salinas; David Larrubia, Izan Merino, Pablo Martínez, Joaquín Muñoz; Dani Lorenzo, Chupe
Villarreal
P. Gulácsi; S. Mouriño, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, Carlos Romero; N. Pépé, P. Gueye, Santi Comesaña, T. Buchanan; Gerard Moreno, G. Mikautadze
Team Form Analysis
Malaga
League Position: 17Malaga Form Analysis
Malaga's opening five matches of the league campaign have produced a pattern of narrow margins and defensive resilience mixed with attacking struggles. Three draws, against Celta Vigo (1-1) on September 13, Levante (0-0) on September 6, and Deportivo La Coruna (1-1) on August 24, show a team capable of holding its own against varied opposition, though the goalless draw with Levante points to limited attacking output at home. The two defeats, a 4-0 reverse against Real Madrid on August 30 and a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on August 19, came against clearly stronger sides, suggesting Malaga's difficulties are more pronounced against the league's top competition. Overall, Malaga have not lost to a team outside the traditional top tier, a sign of competitiveness against comparable opposition, but the lack of a win in five outings underlines why they currently sit 17th in the table and need to convert draws into victories.
Villarreal
League Position: 18Villarreal Form Analysis
Villarreal's recent form makes for concerning reading, with the club winless across its last five matches in all competitions. In La Liga specifically, defeats to Real Betis (1-2) on September 14, Deportivo La Coruna (2-3) on September 5, and Alaves (1-0) on August 28 have been paired with a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid on August 23, leaving Villarreal 18th in the standings. Notably, the matches against Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis both saw Villarreal concede multiple goals while also scoring themselves, pointing to defensive vulnerabilities rather than a lack of attacking threat. Adding to the challenge, Villarreal were also beaten 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League League Stage on September 8, meaning fixture congestion across two competitions has coincided with this rocky run. With five matches played and only one point collected in the league, addressing defensive stability will be a central issue for Iñigo Pérez's side as the season progresses.
Head-to-Head
Malaga
Villarreal
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-01 | Malaga | 1 - 0 | Villarreal |
| 2017-11-05 | Villarreal | 2 - 0 | Malaga |
| 2017-02-12 | Villarreal | 1 - 1 | Malaga |
| 2016-09-10 | Malaga | 0 - 2 | Villarreal |
| 2016-02-13 | Villarreal | 1 - 0 | Malaga |
| 2015-09-23 | Malaga | 0 - 1 | Villarreal |
| 2015-05-17 | Villarreal | 2 - 1 | Malaga |
| 2015-01-10 | Malaga | 1 - 1 | Villarreal |
| 2014-04-21 | Malaga | 2 - 0 | Villarreal |
| 2013-11-29 | Villarreal | 1 - 1 | Malaga |
Memorable Matches
The history between Malaga and Villarreal stretches back over a decade, with encounters often decided by a single goal. The April 1, 2018 meeting saw Malaga edge Villarreal 1-0, while the two sides also shared a 1-1 draw on February 12, 2017, and another 1-1 stalemate on January 10, 2015. Villarreal have had their moments too, including a 2-0 away win at Malaga on September 10, 2016, and a 2-1 victory on May 17, 2015. Across the recorded meetings, close, tightly-contested matches have been the norm, with draws and one-goal margins featuring heavily in this fixture's history.
We explore the matchup further in our Malaga vs Villarreal tips.
Venue Factor
Estadio La Rosaleda provides the backdrop for this Regular Season - 6 clash, with Malaga hosting in front of their home supporters. Playing at home carries added importance given Malaga's current position in the table, as manager Funes will look to home advantage to help turn draws into the wins needed to climb away from the lower reaches of the standings. For Villarreal, the trip to Andalusia comes at a difficult moment given their winless run across recent matches, and travelling sides facing a team fighting in similar territory often find such fixtures tightly contested. The atmosphere at La Rosaleda, with both clubs occupying relegation-threatened positions, is likely to reflect
Injury Concerns
Malaga
Villarreal
