FC Barcelona are set for a tricky away test as they face their so called bogey team, Malaga at the La Rosaleda stadium. The Catalans must avoid dropping points against Malaga at this stage of the league campaign after having clawed their way back into the title race as Barca now stand just two points behind Real Madrid. With the league leaders facing Atletico Madrid today, it gives Barcelona a golden opportunity to exert more pressure on their bitter rivals.
Last time round, Malaga had salvaged a goalless draw at the Camp Nou with custodian Carles Kameni being the architect of his side's hard-earned point. Since then Malaga had to change two managers in this season and are experiencing one of their worst campaigns in recent years. The Andalusian side is 15th in the league and have won just two games in the calendar year.
However, the Anchovies have a surprisingly good record against Luis Enrique’s men in recent games with Malaga ending up on the losing side just twice in the last five games (W1, D2, L2). The good news for the Cules is that they have not lost a single game in their last 10 visits to the La Rosaleda while Lionel Messi has scored six goals in six appearances at the stadium.
Form guide
The Catalans have lost just one game in their last six matches with the solitary 2-1 defeat coming against Deportivo La Coruna in the La Liga. Malaga, on the other hand, have won just one out of their last six matches, losing four and drawing one. The hosts won their last match against Sporting Gijon which must have helped to build the morale of the team as manager Michel will be looking to carry some momentum on the back of the win over Gijon.
FC Barcelona: W-W-L-W-W-W
Malaga: L-L-L-D-L-W
Team news
An official Barcelona statement earlier stated that Rafinha has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury he suffered against Granada. Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will also miss the trip to Malaga with injuries. Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic are suspended for the clash which means Luis Enrique has just 16 first team players to choose his playing eleven from.
Malaga have heavily relied on Sandro Ramirez to score goals for them and it was him who scored the winner against Sporting Gijon. He will start up front against the Catalans with Malaga looking for their 200th win in the Spanish top flight. Keko is suspended while the hosts will also be without the services of Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Bakary Kone.
Head to head
There have been 79 matches played between the two sides with FC Barcelona coming out on top handsomely. The Catalans have won a staggering 54 games between the two whereas Malaga have won just 10 matches. FC Barcelona have also scored a massive 181 goals against the Andalusian side.
Predicted lineups
Malaga: Kameni, Rosales, Hernandez, Llorente, Carlos, Castro, Camacho, Fornais, Juanpi, Sandro, Santos.
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Mathieu, Umtiti, Alba, Busquets, Gomes, Denis, Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Predicted score
Malaga 1-4 FC Barcelona
