Malaga vs Espanyol prediction 09.10.2026 | La Liga

After almost a decade in the lower tiers, Malaga are back in La Liga, and their only goal is to avoid another relegation. However, Malaga are likely the worst team in the Spanish top flight, and staying in the competition will be a hard task. After seven rounds, Juan Funes' team is the only one without a victory. Malaga are at the bottom of the standings, but safety is only two points away. Still, they urgently need a win to restore confidence. In the most recent outing, Malaga lost 1-0 on the road against Getafe. That was another match in which Funes' team struggled to create anything meaningful up front. 

Malaga's Jose Salinas is on loan from Espanyol, and under the agreement, he is not allowed to play against the team from Barcelona. The left-back appeared in six La Liga rounds this season, and his absence could be significant. Besides Salinas, Malaga will also be without injured Diego Murillo, Aaron Ochoa, Julen Lobete, and Jens Cajuste.

Espanyol should be in mid-table this season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them in the relegation battle. After seven rounds, Manolo Gonzalez's team have collected seven points and sit just two points above the drop zone. Espanyol lost their previous two games, and the match against Malaga seems to come at the right moment. In the previous La Liga round, they lost 3-1 at home against Elche. The hosts finished with 66% possession and 23 shots on goal, but the guests were far more efficient and ultimately left Espanyol empty-handed. 

Kike Garcia is still out and will not travel to Malaga. Also, Jofre Carreras and Javi Hernandez are questionable. The biggest problem could be the absence of Hernandez, as the attacking midfielder has already recorded five assists this season. The good news for Espanyol is that Omar El Hilali will return to the squad after a one-game suspension.