Málaga have yet to win a league game, and Betis have lost at home only to Barcelona
Málaga are bottom after ten games back in the top flight, and their last win came in the cup on Tuesday. Betis are fourth but without Facundo Bernal, banned after his red card against Barcelona, and the injured Junior Firpo and Cucho Hernández.
Málaga have drawn five and lost five of their ten league games since promotion, and they are bottom with five points. Away from home the return is thinner still: two points and two goals from five matches. Their last win came in the cup on Tuesday, 3-0 at Sporting de Alcázar.
Betis should win, and clearly, in a match of two goals or fewer in which Málaga do not score.
Betis are fourth on 20 points, yet their league run has stalled since the 5-2 win over Osasuna on 11 October. Barcelona then won 5-2 at their ground, and Celta held them 0-0 on Sunday. Europe has gone better: Porto were beaten 3-2 and Feyenoord 1-0, Isco scoring from the penalty spot. In five league games at home, only Barcelona have beaten them.
Manuel Pellegrini is without Facundo Bernal, sent off against Barcelona and suspended, while Junior Firpo and Cucho Hernández are injured. Málaga are missing Aarón Ochoa, Julen Lobete and Juan Cruz.
The sides meet in the league for the first time since April 2018. Betis won both games that season, 2-0 at Málaga in December 2017 and 2-1 at home.
