Malaga vs Granada predictions and match preview for Sunday’s Spanish Copa del Rey 3rd Round game. Read on for analysis and a score prediction ahead of this local derby.
- DATE: Sunday 17th January 2021
- KICK-OFF: 12:00 (local time)
- STADIUM: La Rosaleda
- COMPETITION: Copa del Rey 3rd Round
Malaga vs Granada Preview
One of the standout fixtures from the Copa del Rey 3rd Round draw was the pairing of Malaga and Granada in the derby of eastern Andalusia. This fixture means a lot in this part of the world but the roles have really been reversed over the past year or two with Granada now in the higher league and in quite considerably a stronger position both on and off the pitch.
Malaga had spent most of the 20th Century as firmly the biggest and most successful team in this part of Andalusia, featuring in the Champions League Quarter-Finals as recently as 2013. However they sunk into decline under the ownership of Abdullah Al Thani with major financial problems hampering their prospects of getting back to the top flight any time soon.
On the pitch, they’ve performed better than expected given the difficult circumstances this season. They are currently mid-table in the Segunda Division while they’ve defeated Coruxo and Real Oviedo to reach this round of the Copa del Rey.
Granada perhaps don’t need any more distractions given they already have European commitments for the very first time this season. Although it is also true that their run to the Semi-Finals of last season’s Copa del Rey didn’t have a terminal impact on their league campaign and they do have a deeper squad to cope this time around.
We may see some light rotation from Diego Martinez here but he will surely respect the fixture and name a stronger XI than he might have, had they been paired with any team besides Malaga. Granada have beaten San Juan and Cultural Leonesa to make it this far and come into this game on the back of a solid 2-0 win in LaLiga against Osasuna last time out.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 1 Malaga Win, 2 Granada Wins, 3 Draws.
- The sides last met in the 2018/19 Segunda Division with Granada winning both games 1-0.
- They are unbeaten on their last 3 visits to La Rosaleda since a 2-1 defeat here in LaLiga in 2014.
- 4 of the last 5 meetings in Malaga have seen both teams score.
Malaga vs Granada Predictions
Score Prediction: Malaga 1-2 Granada
This ought to be a competitive derby match but there is a genuine gulf in class between these two teams now and Granada have a strong enough squad to come here and make it show. Malaga have been struggling a bit for results at La Rosaleda which is also a worry for the hosts heading into this with none of their last 7 home league games in the Segunda seeing Sergio Pellicer’s side collect all three points.
Copa del Rey Betting Tips (18+)
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