Previews
FRI 09.09.2016
Team News:
-Malaga CF: Full squad available
-Villarreal CF: Roberto Soldado, Cedric Bakambu and Daniele Bonera (all injured)
Match Facts:
Malaga (10th, 2 pts):
-Solid at La Rosaleda: All clubs seek to make their stadium a difficult place for other teams to pick up points. Over in Malaga they are well aware of the importance of a strong home record in order to have a successful season, and they have gone four league games without losing at La Rosaleda (during this run they have got at least a draw when hosting At. Osasuna, UD Las Palmas, Levante UD and Rayo Vallecano). However, Juande Ramos's men are still winless this term and will be hoping their home fans can spur them on to their first victory of the campaign against Villarreal.
-Juanpi on song: The Venezuelan has hit the ground running in the opening weeks and has had his scoring boots close at hand. He notched the first goal of the 2016/17 LaLiga Santander in the curtain-raiser, while last Wednesday he bagged one of the standout strikes of the international break, smashing in a screamer that gave Sergio Romero no chance during Venezuela's 2-2 draw with Argentina. That was the 22-year-old's first senior international goal and he will be bidding to continue his rich vein of form this weekend back in domestic action.
Villarreal (13th, 2 pts):
-Gunning for goals and that winning feeling: With Bakambu and Soldado out injured, the onus is on new signing Alexandre Pato to fire the Yellow Submarine to victory. Although the Brazilian forward has yet to get off the mark and indeed his team have only scored once to date, through Sami Castillejo, Javi Gracia's charges have been creating openings: their shot count is the ninth highest in LaLiga Santander. If they can be more clinical at La Rosaleda, they may well come away with three points for the first time this season.
-The Indian sign over Malaga: Villarreal seem to have Los Boquerones' number, having avoided defeat against them in each of the last two campaigns. What's more, last term they ran out 1-0 winners in both meetings between the sides.
Getting to La Rosaleda
Address: Paseo Martiricos, 29011 Malaga
Bus: Stops 1505 and 1570 on Line 15
Stadium location here
Time: 18:15 CET
Stadium: La Rosaleda
Referee: Undiano Mallenco, Alberto
TV: Watch the game in your country
Hashtag: #MálagaVillarreal
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