Pellegrini won't wilt on Real Madrid return
Real Madrid have been involved in several mismatches at home to bottom-half teams this season - as their 6-1 thrashings of Racing Santander and Deportivo demonstrate - but added spice has been added to tonight's clash with Malaga by Jose Mourinho's provocative pre-match comments.
Boxed into a corner by questions about the fact his record in La Liga after 25 games is worse than that of his disposed of predecessor Manuel Pellegrini, the Special One responded in the only way that he knows how, by going on the attack.
"If Real fired me I wouldn't go to Malaga but to a big club in England or Italy," was his riposte, while he dismissed Pellegrini's feat in finishing the 2009-10 campaign with 96 points by arguing that "finishing second just makes you the best loser".
As things stand though, despite boasting a perfect record of 19 victories in 19 encounters at the Bernabeu in all competitions, Mourinho's Real Madrid also look destined for second, and they head into this evening's game in hand against nouveau riche Malaga ten points behind Barcelona.
Los Blancos are [1.17] favourites but Malaga will scrap desperately to be the side that finally stops them in the Spanish capital not just to gain revenge for their coach but because they need the points in their fight for survival, as they remain three points from safety despite being busy in January.
Their attempts to climb the table were aided by a win over Almeria on Monday night that extended their unbeaten run - which has featured draws away to Sevilla and another of Pellegrini's former employers Villarreal - to four fixtures.
The Chilean tactician hasn't lost by more than one goal on any of his five trips to the Bernabeu as a visitor either, so even if you doubt the chances of Malaga gaining a point ([9.6]) or three ([23.0]), there is a strong argument for backing Malaga +1.5 at [2.54] on the Asian Handicap.
Under 2.5 goals also has to be considered at the staggering price of [3.4], having been a feature in Real Madrid's last four matches owing to a rare Cristiano Ronaldo goal drought.
Real Madrid v Malaga
Kick-off: 9pm
Live on Sky Sports 2
Will Ronaldo end his lean streak? He is [3.4] to grab the opener...
Published: 3 Mar 2011
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