Spanish Football Tips: No Bernabeu battering for Malaga

REMEMBER Terry Gibson? Well, we've signed him and while he won't be kicking a football he'll be looking into his crystal ball and bringing us his best Spanish tips every week.

The ex-Spurs, Coventry and Manchester United striker is probably best remembered for his time as part of the infamous Wimbledon Crazy Gang side of the late 80s and early 90s. Now an expert in all things La Liga he works as a pundit and co-commentator on Sky Sports’ Spanish football coverage and is a contributor to unibet.

Here are Terry's tips for two big Saturday fixtures in La Liga.

Real Madrid v Malaga (Sat 3.15pm)

Madrid face a team who have yet to score a goal away from home this season and who have yet to gain a single point so far on their travels. Real’s home form now also seems to have a more regular look to it after they only took one point from their first three games against Valencia, Levante and Real Betis.

In their last three home games it is three wins, nine goals scored and zero conceded. In fairness though, it is the type of record you would expect from them playing Espanyol, Eibar and Las Palmas.

Regarding Malaga’s away record, they have played six and lost all six. However, five of those six have been against Atletico, Valencia, Sevilla, Barcelona and Villarreal. That’s a pretty tough schedule and after Madrid life should get easier for Michel‘s team on the road.

Perhaps a look at the current La Liga table is still slightly misleading for them after playing the current top six in their first seven away games of the season. They have suffered 2-0 defeats at Sevilla, Barca and Villarreal. They lost, of course, 1-0 at Atletico and were comprehensively defeated 5-0 at Valencia.

I feel a bit for Malaga at the moment in terms of getting any momentum with their results, they have won two of their last three. After beating Celta they then had to play Villarreal away and after beating Depor last week they now have to go to the Bernabeu.

It’s as simple as this, if Madrid find the expected efficiency in front of goal they will win. Despite Malaga being spirited and reasonably well drilled defensively, Real should have too much quality individually and collectively and should comfortably overcome their opponents.

I’m not going for a heavy win, out of respect to Malaga’s determination, so I’m going to predict a relatively straightforward 2-0 win for the hosts to match the exploits of Barca, Villarreal and Sevilla.

Regarding the first scorer, surely Ronaldo has to start on the goal trail in La Liga this week, doesn’t he?

Terry's Tips

• Correct score: Real Madrid 2, Malaga 0 (17-2, Unibet)
• First scorer: Ronaldo to score first (41-10, Unibet)
• Under 2.5 goals (41-20, Unibet)

Levante v Atletico Madrid (Sat 7.45pm)

I sense a slight turnaround in Atletico’s spirits and belief. They would have been the happier of the two teams after last week’s derby and confidence would have risen with their 2-0 win over Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Two more clean sheets, Griezmann and Gameiro getting the goals against Roma and they are still unbeaten in La Liga after 12 games. Although they have drawn six, the glass is certainly half full.

Levante’s win last week at Las Palmas was their first win in seven. Their last home win was in mid-September and I’m expecting Atletico to pick up all three points in this game.

After Griezmann was substituted again last week against Real he bounced back in style with a spectacular goal against Roma and I’m backing him to get the opener and winner for Atletico in this game. So it’s an Atletico away 1-0 victory with Griezmann the only scorer.

Terry's Tips

• Correct score: Levante 0, Atletico 1 (17-4, Unibet)
• First scorer: Griezmann (67-20, Unibet)
• Under 1.5 goals (37-19, Unibet)

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