La Liga Preview: Malaga - Valladolid

What on paper appears to be one of the less attractive fixtures of the weekend in La Liga could mark the breaking of important new ground for both sides in La Rosaleda.

Goal Drought

Oh dear - Malaga still have not scored. Antonio Tapia’s newly promoted outfit would have anticipating having to undergo a Liga learning curve in the opening weeks of the season, as the club look to re-establish themselves in Spain’s top tier. Tactical approach, team selection and the inevitable extra focus in training on certain areas, after the experience of the early rounds, would have been plainly foreseen by management and players alike.

Indeed, even lying one from bottom in the table, above only a poor, pointless Sporting Gijon (who boast a quite frankly incredible -19 goal difference after four matches. That’s not a misprint by the way) wouldn’t exactly have surprised Tapia, but not seeing the opposition net bulge once since opening weekend is a real cause for concern.

In midweek, Malaga had plenty of possession against an albeit on-form Valencia defence, while the hosts pushed forward with confidence and vigour, and though they had one effort cleared off the line, actual goal scoring chances were few and far between.

You have to question the quality of the strikers, while Malaga, who have a considerable English following in the southern city, are a tad lacking in midfield creativity. The defence has not performed badly this season, but the seven goals conceded is a mark of a back line that receives no respite from misfiring forwards.

It seems like the free-scoring days of Dario Silva in the Malaga blue are long gone. It all has to change soon, or the club can kiss goodbye to it’s planned re-establishment as one of La Liga’s regular residents.

Travelling Without Moving

It has been a case of home and away and 'wish we weren’t here' postcards for Jose Mendilibar’s Valladolid. They have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, but only thanks to some excellent home form.

Most evident in a shock victory over what, for the most part, was an Aguero-less Atletico Madrid in round 2, Valladolid also somewhat surprisingly overcame an in-form and increasingly confident Almeria in midweek. However, away from home is a completely different story.

Not only have this weekend's visitors to La Rosaleda come away with nothing from both away matches so far this season ,they have experienced a goal drought of their own to boot. Mendilibar, like Tapia on the Malaga bench, knows the trend must be remedied, not least against beatable opposition, and like his opposite number on Sunday, opportunity knocks for the breaking of unwanted habits.

Valladolid finished just three points clear of the drop in 15th last year. Five victories came away from home - just one less than the total achieved at the Estadio Jose Zorilla. Last season’s new boys need to start making their away day results count in the standings, because, sooner or later, whether it’s injuries or just plain bad luck, home from could evaporate.

For both sides this match is a great chance to get the season properly going and alleviate any mounting concerns, particularly for the hosts, and boost morale for the gruelling fixture list ahead.


FORM GUIDE

Malaga

LOST 2-0 (H) Valencia (25 Sept - La Liga)
LOST 1-0 (A) Almeria (21 Sept - La Liga)
DREW 0-0 (H) Athletic Bilbao (14 Sept - La Liga)
LOST 4-0 (A) Atletico Madrid (31 Aug - La Liga)
LOST 2-0 (A) Sevilla (23 Aug - Friendly)

Valladolid

WON 2-0 (H) Almeria (25 Sept - La Liga)
LOST 2-0 (A) Athletic Bilbao (21 Sept - La Liga)
WON 2-1 (H) Atletico Madrid (13 Sept - La Liga
LOST 1-0 (A) Espanyol (30 Aug - La Liga)
WON 5-2 (H) Atheltic Bilbao (23 Aug - Friendly)


TEAM NEWS

Malaga

Miguel Angel should return to anchor the midfield after a suspension, but striker Salva sits this one out after seeing red against former club Valencia. Apono and Rossato could also see some action having returned to training early this week, though the latter did not make the squad on Thursday.

After another goalless night, changes in attack are likely, and journeyman striker Albert Luque could get a start after coming off the bench against Los Che.


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