Preview: Malaga vs Deportivo La Coruna - prediction, team news, lineups

Two newly-promoted clubs will lock horns in Spain's top flight on Monday evening, with Malaga welcoming Deportivo La Coruna to Estadio La Rosaleda.

Malaga opened their 2026-27 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, while Deportivo's new season started with a 1-1 draw against Elche.

Match preview

Malaga started life back in the top flight with a 2-0 loss to Atletico on August 19, but it was a positive performance for long spells, with Diego Simeone's side having to wait until the 70th minute to make the breakthrough through summer signing Lee Kang-in.

The White and Sky Blues secured a return to La Liga through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, with the team back at the top level for the first time since 2017-18.

Juan Francisco Funes' side have made four signings this summer, boosting their squad with the arrivals of Juan Cruz, Pablo Martinez, Fernando Calero and Jose Salinas, while there have been six first-team departures - more are expected to follow before the window closes.

Malaga have only won 11 of their previous 44 matches against Deportivo in all competitions, with the latter actually leading the head-to-head with 17 successes.

Last season, Malaga recorded a 3-0 victory over Deportivo on home soil, but the reverse match in April of this year finished 1-1.

Deportivo finished second in last season's Segunda Division to secure a return to the top flight, with the Blue and Whites back in La Liga for the first time since 2017-18 - the same as Malaga.

There were only four points between fourth-placed Malaga and second-placed Deportivo in last season's Segunda Division table, and there is not expected to be much between them this term.

Antonio Hidalgo's side opened their 2026-27 La Liga campaign with a 1-1 draw against Elche; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted on his debut for Deportivo before Marc Aguado levelled for Elche.

The Blue and Whites have made seven signings this summer, while there have been six exits, so there is a fresh look to the squad at this stage of the market.

There is expected to be more movement both in and out of Estadio Riazor before the summer transfer window closes, as Hidalgo looks to assemble a squad capable of staying in La Liga.

Malaga La Liga form:

Deportivo La Coruna La Liga form:

Team News

Malaga will welcome Aaron Ochoa back into their squad on Monday following a suspension, but Adrian Nino, Diego Murillo, Juanpe, Calero and Moussa Diarra are all injured.

Head coach Funes is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack despite the disappointing nature of the result against Atletico last time out, as the performance was positive for long spells.

Chupe scored 25 times in Spain's second tier last term and is set to again lead the line.

As for Deportivo, Yeremay Hernandez is out of the contest due to a groin problem; Noe Carrillo also needs to be assessed, with the 19-year-old carrying an injury issue.

Aubameyang was on the scoresheet for Deportivo last time out, and the experienced forward will continue in the final third of the field.

There is also expected to be a start in central midfield for Lorenzo Amatucci, who was a standout performer for the club on his debut last time out.

Malaga possible starting lineup:

Herrero; Puga, Recio, Galilea, Rafita; Merino; Larrubia, Dotor, Lorenzo, Munoz; Chupe

Deportivo La Coruna possible starting lineup:

Roman; Navarro, Noubi, Ede, Quagliata; Soriano, Amatucci; Altimira, Nsongo, Asp Jensen; Aubameyang

We say: Malaga 2-2 Deportivo La Coruna

Both of these teams have quality in the final third of the field, and we are expecting an open game, with the points potentially being shared in a 2-2 draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.