Malaga have lost just once this season and should be too good for AC Milan on Wednesday.
The Spanish side’s only reversal to date came in the last minute at the Vicente Calderon, a Wellington own goal handing hosts Atletico Madrid all three points, and their overall performance levels have been excellent.
Riding high in third place behind Barcelona and their sole conquerors in La Liga, Malaga’s Champions League debut season has also been impressive and they can all but secure a place in the knockout stage with victory over the Italians.
A brace of 3-0 wins at home to Zenit and in Belgium against Anderlecht gives Malaga a nice cushion ahead of the clash at La Rosaleda where their form of late has been outstanding.
Just one defeat since January, against Betis last term, indicates how strong Manuel Pellegrini’s men are in front of their own fans and they face an ailing Milan team totally out of form.
While Pellegrini will be relishing taking on the fallen giants, his opposite number on Wednesday, Massimiliano Allegri, must be fearing the sack and defeat in Spain could spell the end for a man who spent two years in the San Siro dugout.
Languishing in fifteenth place in Serie A, Milan have lost five matches in eight domestically while a goalless draw versus a limited Anderlecht side to open their Champions League campaign was thoroughly underwhelming.
To their credit Milan rallied to triumph in Russia over Zenit but they squandered a two goal lead there before an own goal gave them the maximum haul and are sure to come under pressure in the early stages in southern Spain.
Consecutive defeats to Inter and Lazio have hardly been ideal preparation for Milan and Malaga rate a decent wager at anything around 2.00.
2pts Back Malaga (vs. Milan) @ 2.00 (various)