End of an era for Malaga?

24May 2013

Primera Division Spanyol

It's the penultimate weekend of the La Liga season and there are plenty of interesting fixtures for Paul Robinson to sink his teeth into. Here are his selections from Betfair's Sportsbook:

Malaga v Deportivo

Back Malaga @ 2.5 (6/4)

Back Malaga to win 2-1 @ 8.5 (15/2)

Malaga take on Deportivo in what will likely prove to be manager, Manuel Pellegrini's final home game in charge. While next season's European ban means they have nothing to play for, the fact it's the Chilean's farewell at La Rosaleda Stadium should give the players the motivation they need to win.

Malaga are sixth in the table but due to their financial issues they aren't eligible for European competition next season. Their campaign has tailed off in recent weeks as since their Champions League quarter-final exit they have gone on to lose three of their next five in La Liga, and in the wider picture it's just three wins in 12.

Nevertheless, The Anchovies have picked up seven points from a possible nine at home and it seems relatively obvious that Pellegrini and a couple of their more notable players - Isco in particular - will want to leave the fans with one last victory.

Deportivo will of course be wanting to crash the party and they'll be desperate to do so given their current predicament. They are just one place and one point clear of the relegation zone but they will be feeling positive as they won last time to leapfrog Real Zaragoza.

Fernando Vázquez has done well since his appointment in February and his team have lost just one of their last nine - winning five of them. They did lose on their last trip away from the Riazor though and it will be interesting to see if there's a change in mentality now that they're out of the bottom three.

I can see Deportivo getting a goal but I strongly fancy a home win so not only do I recommend a back of Malaga at 2.5 (6/4) I also think backing a 2-1 correct score at 8.5 (15/2) is value.

Osasuna v Sevilla

Back Osasuna @ 2.45 (29/20)

Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.85 (17/20)

Osasuna are another side in the relegation mix but I fancy them to ease their troubles with a win against the poor travelling Sevilla.

It's been a lacklustre campaign for last year's seventh placed finishers as Osasuna are down in 16th - a mere two points clear of Zaragoza in 18th. Their final game of the season takes them to the Bernabeu so they will be desperate to get the win on Sunday that should see them safe.

The Little Red Ones are unbeaten in two at El Sadar Stadium - beating Getafe 1-0 to build on a 0-0 with Real Sociedad beforehand. They had lost three in a row at home prior to that, but that run came on the back of three straight victories, so they are more than capable of getting the job done in front of their own fans.

Sevilla have been fantastic at home this year - 37 of their 47 points coming in Seville - however it's been a different story away. Unai Emery was appointed as manager in January but even he has been able to register a victory from eight attempts on the road.

The Red and Whites have drawn their last three away but they lost to Sociedad at home last time and they have nothing left to play for in the league.

Osasuna look a very generous price at 2.45 (29/20) and so does under 2.5 goals at 1.85 (17/20) given the fact that the hosts have kept two clean sheets in a row and that Seville have fired two blanks in their last four.

Sociedad v Real Madrid - Sky Sports One @ 19:00

Back Sociedad @ 2.5 (6/4)

Back Over 3.5 goals @ 2.0 (1/1)

Real Sociedad are in a titanic battle with Valencia for the final remaining Champions League place and they will almost certainly have to beat Real Madrid at the weekend to keep their noses in front.

It's recently been announced that Sociedad boss, Philippe Montanier is to depart the club at the end of the season. This is somewhat of a surprise as he is leaving to join Rennes who only managed a mid-table finish in Ligue One. The players will be staying though and they will be hungry for Champions League football.

The Basque Country outfit are unbeaten at home since the beginning of November - recording seven victories and six draws. This is obviously a tough fixture on paper but they will be desperate to win and there are reasons to believe that Real Madrid will be there for the taking.

It was finally announced earlier in the week that Jose Mourinho will be leaving the club at the end of the season and given his relationship with the hierarchy, the fans and some of the players, I can't imagine he'll be too bothered about what happens in their final two matches.

They lost their last meaningful game in the Copa del Rey final on Friday and although Ronaldo was sent off, he is eligible to play on Sunday. I just can't see them putting in 100% effort for this though and they even failed to beat Espanyol in their previous league fixture.

Real Sociedad will be pumped up and the home fans will be right behind their team. They are very tempting odds at 2.5 (6/4) as is over 3.5 goals at even money.

Recommended Bets

Back Malaga @ 2.5 (6/4)

Back Malaga to win 2-1 @ 8.5 (15/2)

Back Osasuna @ 2.45 (29/20)

Back Under 2.5 goals in Osasuna v Sevilla @ 1.85 (17/20)

Back Sociedad @ 2.5 (6/4)

Back Over 3.5 goals in Sociedad v Real Madrid @ 2.0 (1/1)

Prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.