Two Andalusian clubs meet at La Rosaleda in a match that carries enormous weight: both Malaga and Almeria sit level on four points at the top of the La Liga 2 Promotion group, separated only by goal difference. Juan Funes’s side has been the more defensively solid of the two, conceding just one goal in two promotion games, while Rubi’s Almeria has been more expansive, scoring four but also shipping three. With promotion at stake, expect both benches to push hard from the first whistle. Carlos Ruiz Rubio has been Malaga’s standout performer, contributing four goals and an assist across the last five matches, making him the primary threat Almeria’s defense must contain. On the visitors’ side, midfielder Stefan Dzodzic has been quietly influential, combining seven interceptions with a goal and 442 minutes of action, making him Almeria’s defensive engine in transition.
Hot stat: Almeria has accumulated 16 yellow cards and 87 fouls across their last five matches, the highest disciplinary count of the two sides. In a tense promotion clash, that tendency to foul frequently could prove costly.
| 🏆 Tournament: | La Liga 2 2025/26 Promotion |
| 🏟 Venue: | La Rosaleda, Malaga |
| 🗓️ Date: | 14.06.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 21:00 CEST |
Malaga vs Almeria Prediction
Both sides have identical records in this promotion group, and the head-to-head history over the past two seasons shows a pattern of close, competitive matches. Four of the last six encounters have produced three or more goals combined, and both teams scored in three of those six. Malaga’s home form over the last 30 days is notably stronger, with three wins and no defeats in five games. Almeria’s recent form is more inconsistent, with two wins alongside two losses in the same period.
Malaga’s pass accuracy stands at 86% compared to Almeria’s 81%, which suggests the hosts control the tempo better on the ball. Almeria fouls far more frequently (87 vs 63 in the last five matches), which creates set-piece opportunities for a Malaga side that earns 60 free kicks per five-game block. Given home advantage, superior defensive discipline, and Malaga’s clinical finishing through Ruiz Rubio and Joaquin Munoz, we predict a narrow Malaga win. The value on the home side at 2.25 is fair given the context.
| 🔥 Hot Tip: | Malaga to win and both teams to score |
| ⚽ Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥 Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯 Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Malaga arrive into this fixture in fine form. Their last five matches produced nine goals, with victories over Las Palmas (1-0), Real Zaragoza (2-0), and Ceuta (4-1) balanced by draws against Racing Santander and Las Palmas. The 1-1 draw in their most recent promotion match against Las Palmas was not a setback in terms of performance, as Malaga controlled possession and restricted a Las Palmas side ranked 335th globally. Carlos Ruiz Rubio’s four goals from 19 shots confirm his efficiency, and David Larrubia adds a second attacking threat with two goals and consistent pressing output.
Almeria’s last five matches tell a more mixed story. A 3-2 win over Castellon in the most recent promotion game showed their attacking capacity, but they also lost to Sporting Gijon (1-3) and Las Palmas (1-2) during this stretch. Their 1-0 win over Real Valladolid demonstrated the ability to grind out results when needed. Sergio Arribas Calvo leads their attack with two goals and 10 shots, and Adrián Embarba adds two more goals with regular creative output. The concern is at the back: Almeria has conceded seven goals in five matches, and their 87 fouls create persistent set-piece danger for opponents.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
The six most recent meetings between these clubs show a balanced rivalry. Almeria won the last La Liga 2 regular season encounter 3-2 at Malaga’s ground, but Malaga took the reverse fixture 2-1. Draws have appeared in three of the six clashes. Goals flow freely in this fixture, with an average of over 2.5 across the head-to-head sample.
| Statistic | Malaga | Almeria |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 9 | 9 |
| Total shots | 71 | 80 |
| Free kicks | 60 | 60 |
| Corner kicks | 21 | 21 |
| Total fouls | 63 | 87 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 86% | 81% |
| Interceptions | 35 | 43 |
| Offsides | 14 | 10 |
🚨 Check out our dedicated Malaga vs Almeria stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Malaga the Favourite
- Moneyline Malaga 2.25 | Almeria 3.40
- Draw 3.18
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
The 2.25 on Malaga reflects home advantage and their stronger recent form, and we consider it a fair price. Almeria at 3.40 is generous enough to tempt if you back the visitors’ attacking quality, but their defensive record in recent weeks makes that a riskier play. The draw at 3.18 aligns with the head-to-head pattern but, in a must-win atmosphere for both clubs, a decisive result is more likely than another stalemate.

Almeria. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Malaga Possible Starting Eleven

- GK: Alfonso Herrero
- DF: Carlos Puga, Einar Galilea, Diego Murillo, Francisco Montero
- MF: Izan Merino, Dani Lorenzo, Rafael Rodriguez Ruiz, Aarón Ochoa
- FW: Carlos Ruiz Rubio, Joaquin Munoz
Malaga’s most likely shape is a 4-2-3-1, with Iz Merino and Dani Lorenzo sitting as a double pivot to shield the back four. Alfonso Herrero has been reliable between the posts, making 14 saves across five matches. Carlos Ruiz Rubio is the name to watch: four goals from 427 minutes of action makes him the most dangerous player on the pitch. Joaquin Munoz provides pace and directness in behind, and his seven offsides in five games show how aggressively he tests defensive lines.
Almeria Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Andrés Fernández
- DF: Rodrigo Ely, Federico Bonini, Álex Muñoz, Daijiro Chirino
- MF: Stefan Dzodzic, Dion Lopy, Sergio Arribas Calvo, Nicolás Melamed Ribaudo
- FW: Adrián Embarba, Miguel De La Fuente
Rubi will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 as well, with Rodrigo Ely and Álex Muñoz as the two most experienced defensive figures. Andrés Fernández has made 19 saves in five matches, which speaks to how exposed Almeria’s backline can be. Sergio Arribas Calvo is the creative hub in midfield, while Adrián Embarba provides pace and end product from wide areas. Stefan Dzodzic’s combination of defensive work and goal threat from midfield makes him a key figure in both phases.
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Malaga. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
This is a high-stakes Andalusian derby with promotion on the line, and the stats point toward an open, goal-heavy contest. Malaga’s home record over the past month is the decisive factor: three wins and zero losses at La Rosaleda gives Juan Funes’s side a real psychological edge. Almeria’s attacking talent is undeniable, Embarba and Arribes Calvo can hurt any team, but their 87 fouls and seven goals conceded in five games suggest structural vulnerabilities that Malaga’s front line will target. We predict a Malaga win, with both teams finding the net in a match that finishes 2-1 to the hosts. The over 2.5 goals market and BTTS both carry strong value given the head-to-head history and the open nature of both sides’ recent performances.

