Malaga vs Deportivo La Coruna prediction 24.08.2026 | LaLiga

For fans along the Costa del Sol, last Wednesday brought a swift reality check. Malaga opened their return to top-flight football with a daunting trip to the Cívitas Metropolitano, where they suffered a hard-fought 2-0 defeat at the hands of Atlético Madrid.

However, that opening-day setback has done little to dampen the euphoria sweeping through the city. Andalusia has waited a long time for the return of first-division football—Malaga having last featured in La Liga back in the 2017–18 season—and there is no doubt that La Rosaleda will be packed to its absolute capacity for Monday’s historic clash.

Overall, the Albiceletes proved to be a highly disciplined and resilient outfit during their pre-season campaign, picking up eye-catching results such as a 3-3 draw against Leicester City and a 2-2 stalemate with Fulham. Their primary weapon this season will undoubtedly be their home turf, where they put on a dominant display in Segunda División last term.

Head coach Juan Francisco Funes will have the luxury of a fully fit squad for his official La Liga home debut, as his team emerged unscathed from Matchday 1. Despite the loss in the Spanish capital, Funes is expected to field an identical starting XI to keep faith in his core group.

On the other hand, the famous Super Depor kicked off their top-flight adventure last Monday, grinding out a 1-1 draw against Elche at Riazor. Despite being thoroughly outplayed in almost every department, the Galician side has no reason to be pessimistic after securing a hard-earned point.

The Herculinos underwent only minor squad changes over the summer transfer window, successfully retaining a reliable core characterized by a robust midfield and well-drilled set-piece routines. However, a major concern for the traveling supporters is the team’s tendency to lose concentration in the dying minutes of away matches.

A trip to La Rosaleda is historically a daunting task for Deportivo. They have managed just a single victory at this stadium since December 2014, a dismal run spanning 10 matches. Securing even a single point from this fixture would provide a massive psychological boost ahead of their upcoming home game against Valencia.

Talismanic playmaker Yeremay Hernandez has yet to fully shake off a groin injury, representing a major selection headache for manager Antonio Hidalgo. Fortunately for the visitors, the rest of the squad is fully fit and ready for Monday's journey.