Barcelona vs Malaga – La Liga – Preview

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Sreya

Barcelona vs Malaga – Barcelona hosts Malaga at El Camp Nou on 19th November, Saturday in a La Liga fixture, hoping to close the gap on Real Madrid who have a difficult away match against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona are second in league standings with twenty five points, trailing Real Madrid by two points only. Prior to the international break, Luis Enrique’s side were on a four-match unbeaten streak.

Malaga also registered a 3-2 win over Sporting de Gijon in their last La Liga game.

Team News

Andres Iniesta is sidelined with an injury and Luis Suarez is suspended. Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu are listed as doubts.

Malaga will be without the suspended Ignacio Camacho and the injured Weligton, Charles, Keko and Recio. Juankar and Gonzalo Castro are doubtful as well.

Barcelona Possible Starting Lineup: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Rafinha, Lionel Messi, Paco Alcacer, Neymar.

Malaga Possible Starting Lineup: Carlos Kameni, Roberto Rosales, Mikel Villanueva, Miguel Torres, Federico Ricca, Diego Llorente, Pablo Fornals, Javi Ontiveros, Juanpi, Juankar, Sandro Ramirez.

“We find a Malaga in their best run of form since the start of the season and that doesn’t need to elaborate too much to attack. With a high press and the capacity to provoke danger on counter attacks.”

– Luis Enrique, Barcelona.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Barcelona vs Malaga H2H stats, Barcelona have won three and lost one of their last five matches against Malaga. In fact, Barcelona have won fifteen of their last eighteen matches against Malaga in all competitions.

While Barcelona are undefeated in twenty eight of their last thirty one home matches in the La Liga, Malaga have failed to win their last eight away matches in the league.

Barcelona are the clear favorites and are likely to win by a 3-0 scoreline.