Málaga vs Villarreal Match Preview
On Sunday, Malaga and Villarreal will meet at the Estadio La Rosaleda for their 27th game in La Liga this season.
Despite beating Xerez 2-0 last week, the Yellow Submarines have dropped onto 9th in the table behind Getafe who thrashed Mallorca 3-0.
Villarreal are undefeated since their humiliating 6-2 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, they are also yet to win outside El Madrigal stadium since their 2-1 triumph at the Vicente Calderon against Atletico Madrid back in December 2009.
Brazilian striker Nilmar expressed his side’s desires:
"Now it’s time for us to win away from home because if we want to get to the Europa League, we must win these two games [away to Malaga and Tenerife], which are key because there is little left for last.”
“We are playing better and if we win it will give us confidence for the next match.”
Malaga, meanwhile, have lost thrice on the trot. This miserable run which ended their unbeaten record in 4 matches started with a narrow defeat away to Barcelona.
That result followed with a 4-2 loss at home to Xerez and continued last weekend with a 1-0 defeat against Almeria.
Counting 27 points like Racing Santander and occupying the 15 spot in La Liga standings, Malaga need to distance themselves from the drop zone.
Beating Villarreal will be necessary.