Atletico Madrid vs Malaga sees the newly promoted visitors travel to the Metropolitano on Wednesday, with Diego Simeone’s side overwhelming favourites to make home advantage count.
Atletico finished fourth in La Liga last season and have far too much firepower on paper for a Malaga side back in the top flight. Andy Francis has the best bets, our score prediction and the head-to-head record below. The game kicks off at 7pm BST on Wednesday, August 19th.
Premium Tips
Andy is siding firmly with the hosts, whose forwards should have the beating of a promoted defence adjusting to life back in La Liga.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Score with a Header – Alexander Sorloth | 13/4 | Sorloth’s height and aerial power make him a constant goal threat from crosses and set-pieces, and Malaga’s back line is still adjusting to the physicality of La Liga. With Atletico’s wide players expected to dominate a deep, nervous defence, service into the box should be frequent. |
| Atletico Madrid to win, Carlos Puga to be booked and Ademola Lookman over 1.5 shots on target | 13/2 | The class gap points firmly to a home win, backed by four straight victories in this fixture. Puga faces a tough shift against Atletico’s movement and is a booking risk defending in transition, while Lookman should see enough of the ball to clear 1.5 shots on target. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Atletico Madrid go into the game
Atletico Madrid finished fourth in La Liga last season on 69 points, scoring 62 and conceding just 44 under Diego Simeone. They remain one of Spain’s heavyweights and will expect to sweep aside a promoted side at home.
Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez give them a fearsome strike pairing, with Alex Baena adding creativity behind them. Anything less than a comfortable win at the Metropolitano would count as a surprise.
How Malaga go into the game
Malaga are back in La Liga after winning promotion from the Segunda Division, and this is exactly the daunting away day that comes with the step up. Survival, rather than results at grounds like this, will define their season.
Keeping the score down and building confidence for more winnable home games is the realistic aim here. A clean sheet at the Metropolitano would be a major achievement against Atletico’s attack.
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/02/18 | Malaga | 0-1 | Atletico Madrid |
| 16/09/17 | Atletico Madrid | 1-0 | Malaga |
| 01/04/17 | Malaga | 0-2 | Atletico Madrid |
| 29/10/16 | Atletico Madrid | 4-2 | Malaga |
The sides last met in 2017-18, before Malaga’s relegation, with Atletico winning all four of the most recent meetings and keeping three clean sheets. Malaga have not won this fixture in the games on record.
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid to win | 3/10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Heavy favourites against a promoted side. |
| Alexander Sorloth anytime scorer | 8/11 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Leads the line against a promoted defence. |
| Over 2.5 goals | 8/11 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Atletico’s firepower at home. |
| Both teams to score – No | 8/13 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Atletico strong favourites for a clean sheet. |
| Atletico Madrid to win 2-0 | 5/1 | ⭐⭐ | Our headline scoreline for a controlled home win. |
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga score prediction
Malaga will set up to contain and frustrate, but the gulf in quality is significant and Atletico have the forwards to break them down. We expect a controlled home win with a clean sheet at the Metropolitano. Score prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Malaga.
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