Malaga host Espanyol seeking first win of a difficult run
Malaga welcome Espanyol to Estadio La Rosaleda on 9 October for a matchday 8 fixture in La Liga, with neither side arriving in strong form. Malaga have lost three of their last five outings, drawing two, and have not won in that spell. Espanyol's recent record reads slightly better, with a single win alongside three defeats and a draw over the same stretch.
Recent history favours the visitors
The two sides have met four times in the recent past, and Espanyol have won every one of those encounters. Their most recent meeting, in May 2021, ended 3-0 in Espanyol's favour, following a similar scoreline in November 2020 when Espanyol won 0-3 away from home. A further meeting in La Liga in May 2018 also went Espanyol's way, 4-1.
That record gives the fixture an added edge for Malaga, who will be looking to finally get something on the board against a side they have struggled to beat in recent years.
Form under scrutiny
With Malaga winless in their last five and Espanyol only marginally ahead having secured one win in the same period, both clubs will see this as an opportunity to halt a difficult run. The match at La Rosaleda offers each side a chance to build some momentum heading into the following weeks of the season.