Hard-luck teams Malaga CF (2-5-3, 9 points) and Real Betis (3-4-3, 12 points) will square off at the La Rosaleda Stadium this Saturday, November 7th for a 2015-2016 Premier League affair as both teams try to fend off relegation next season.
Malaga is coming off a disappointing 0-1 loss to Sporting Gijon on November 1st at the El Molinón Stadium as the 19-year-old on-loan midfielder from Barcelona, Alen Halilović, found the back of the net at the 27th minute to provide the lone goal of the match, as reported by Sports Mole.
The loss was Los Boquerones third in their last six matches, keeping them dangerously close to the bottom three of the standings at the 17th spot and just two points ahead of Granada.
Meanwhile, Real Betis is also struggling to pull off victories and they are currently on a three-game winless slide as they have only two wins in their last six contests.
Their last match was a 1-3 defeat in the hands of Athletic Bilbao at their home field of Benito Villamarín Stadium also last Sunday, as per Soccerway.
Bilbao started off strong in the opening half with forward Iñaki Williams scoring a brace at the 8th and 45th minutes to give Athletic Club a 2-0 lead at the interval.
Betis striker Rubén Castro managed to score with a penalty kick at the 67th to keep his team in the game, but Los Leones midfielder Raúl García sealed it with a strike at the 87th for the final count.
In a battle of two struggling teams, the one who is feeling more disadvantaged will have the upperhand as it gives them a sense of urgency to get out of their current rut.
The prediction is a 1-0 win for Malaga as they look to avoid relegation to the bottom three.
Malaga starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Kameni; Rosales, Albentosa, Weligton, Boka; Recio, Camacho; Tighadouini, Fornals, Carlos; Charles
Real Betis starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Adan; Piccinini, Bruno, Pezzella, Molinero; Joaquin, N'Diaye, Ceballos, Portillo; van Wolfswinkel, Castro