REF’s picks

Espanyol hold the upper hand in historical meetings and arrive at La Rosaleda with more established La Liga pedigree than struggling Malaga. Backing the visitors to edge past a low-scoring home side looks the most sound approach here.

1. 1Espanyol boast a strong historical dominance in this fixture, winning the last five consecutive encounters.
2. 2Malaga sit at the foot of the table with zero wins and severe offensive struggles, managing just two goals in five matches.
3. 3Espanyol's away form can be inconsistent, making a tight contest where a single defensive lapse could swing the result entirely.

REF's own opinion, not a guarantee — nothing here is financial or betting advice, and the call is always yours.