Malaga VS RCD Espanyol

Malaga’s long-awaited return to La Liga has turned into a total disaster so far. They have not recorded a single win across 7 opening matches, picking up just 3 points from 3 draws and 4 losses to sit rock bottom of the standings. Their attacking output is especially abysmal, with only 3 total goals across 7 fixtures for a 0.43 goals per game average. They have failed to win any of their 3 home outings, drawing 2 and losing 1 while netting just 2 goals, with their toothless forward line looking particularly ineffective at their Rosaleda home. Defensively, they have conceded 12 goals at 1.71 per game on average, and their last 6 matches have yielded 3 draws and 3 losses, scoring 3 and conceding 10 with zero signs of improvement on either end. Espanyol sit 15th on the table with 7 points from 2 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses, 4 points clear of the relegation zone. Their away form is relatively solid, with 1 win and 2 losses across 3 road trips, scoring 4 and conceding 4 for a balanced away performance. Their recent run is far from ideal though: they have notched only 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses in their last 6 outings, with their only victory coming from a 2-0 away win over Osasuna.