Two sides that have contrasting starts to the La Liga season go head to head as Real Madrid host Malaga at the Bernabeu this weekend.
Los Blancos sit at the top of the standings, and remain unbeaten in the league this season, while Malaga are 19th, having failed to pick up a victory from their first five outings.
Real Madrid
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Rafael Benitez's men made it four straight wins in the league with a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao during their midweek fixture, with Karim Benzema netting a brace.
With a win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League last week, Real have won their last five matches in all competitions and remain unbeaten in competitive fixtures this season, with their only dropped points coming from a goalless draw with Sporting Gijon on the opening weekend of the season.
Real did let in their first goal of the season at San Mames though, with Sabin Merino becoming the first player to get the better of Keylor Navas this season. The team still have the best defensive record in the Spanish top flight though, having conceded just once after keeping four clean sheets.
The goalkeeper was close to leaving the club on transfer deadline day as part of a deal that would have seen Manchester United's David de Gea head the other way. Navas has admitted he was so relieved to stay at the club that he cried after learning that the De Gea deal had fallen through.
Benitez's side are also the joint top scorers in the division, with his side having scored 14 times in their first five matches, putting them level with Celta Vigo. Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema both have five goals so far, but all of Ronaldo's came in one fixture, while Benzema has been on target in his last four appearances.
After this match, Real will have just four days to prepare for their second fixture of the season in the Champions League, as they travel to Malmo next Wednesday.
Recent form: WDWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWW
Malaga
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Malaga are still looking for their first win of the 2015-16 La Liga season, with three defeats coming from their last four outings, including a 1-0 loss to Villarreal earlier this week.
As well as being without a win so far this season, Malaga are yet to find the back of the net, with no goals from their opening five fixtures. They are the only team still looking for their first goal, with every other side scoring at least twice so far.
Despite their position in the table, Malaga have one of the strongest defensive records in the division in the opening few weeks of the season. Javi Gracia's side have conceded just three goals while keeping two clean sheets – only three teams have let in fewer goals.
Fernando Tissone will be keen to put his error behind him following the loss to Villarreal, as his own goal was the deciding factor.
Malaga have been struggling for some time, with just one of their final 11 fixtures last season resulting in a win, which saw them slip from the European places to ninth in the final table during the 2014-15 campaign.
Picking up wins away from home has been a particular rarity, with a surprise 1-0 win over Barcelona in February remaining their only win away from home in 2015.
Recent form: LDLDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WDLDLL
Team News
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Sergio Ramos has not played since dislocating his shoulder in the Champions League earlier this month, while Gareth Bale remains sidelined with a calf injury picked up in the same match. James Rodriguez and Danilo are still out with more long-term concerns.
The absence of Bale and Rodriguez could have given Jese Rodriguez hope of a return to the starting lineup over the last couple of weeks, but Benitez has insisted that the striker has to work for a place in the first XI, suggesting that he could remain on the bench for this fixture, having come on in the second half of the win over Athletic.
The visitors have a number of injury concerns too, with Nordin Amrabat having missed the last week with an ankle problem, but the striker has been back in training, so could return for this match.
However, Roque Santa Cruz is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Ignacio Camacho is missing with a groin strain.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Carvajal, Ronaldo, Kroos, Kovacic, Modric, Isco, Benzema
Malaga possible starting lineup:
Kameni, Weligton, Angeleri, Rosales, Boka, Horta, Tissone, Recio, Duda, Juanpi, Charles
Head To Head
In 30 previous meetings between the two sides, Malaga have secured just one win, beating Real Madrid 3-2 during the 2012-13 season. Real have 23 wins against this weekend's opponents, while just six matches have resulted in draws.
Since their sole defeat to Malaga, Real have secured five straight wins, including last time the sides met at the Bernabeu in April, when they secured a 3-1 win.
This can be a heated fixture, with seven red cards coming in the last 15 meetings between the two sides, including two for Malaga in a 6-2 loss in 2013. Their heaviest loss came in 2011 when then were crushed 7-0.
We say: Real Madrid 3-0 Malaga
Malaga have really struggled away from home over the last year, and it is difficult to see them getting anything against a Real Madrid side in such strong form, particularly given their goal-scoring record over the last month. With a trip to Sweden coming just a couple of days later there could be some squad rotation from Benitez, but Real should still have more than enough to secure a comfortable victory against a side that have created few chances so far this season.
Sian Cowper
