Alaves go into Friday's La Liga meeting with Malaga at Mendizorrotza Stadium as the higher-ranked side, but the gap is not backed by much recent comfort. Alaves are seventh with 11 points from nine games, while Malaga are bottom with four points from nine matches and still searching for a first win.
Malaga's winless start
Malaga's start has been ugly enough on its own, and the numbers are plain. They have only four points from nine matches and have conceded 18 goals in those nine games, which is a poor return for any side trying to settle into a season.
Sports Mole went as far as describing Malaga as the only team in Spain's top flight yet to triumph this term. The standings show them bottom of La Liga, and that is the version that matters for Friday's trip to Alaves vs Malaga.
Alaves' recent drop in form
Alaves still carry the better position and the home edge, but their own form has cooled. Sports Mole said Quique Sanchez Flores' side have picked up only one point from their last five league matches, with defeats to Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo in their last two.
That stall makes this a more awkward fixture than the table alone suggests. The preview from Sports Mole sees Malaga ending their winless run at some stage, but not on Friday, with a low-scoring draw seen as the likeliest outcome.
Alaves can still justify their place as favourites on paper, yet their last five league matches and Malaga's defensive record make this feel closer than the table says. The fixture is set for Friday, 23 October, at Mendizorrotza.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
