Malaga — Real Sociedad B : Match Preview and Prediction for August 24,2025

Malaga’s Home Advantage

Malaga is set to play its second consecutive match at its home ground, La Rosaleda, a factor that cannot be overstated. News reports indicate over 26,000 season tickets have been sold, promising an electrifying atmosphere. In their opening fixture against a formidable Eibar side, Sergio Pellicer’s team secured a point (1-1), yet their performance was arguably more dominant. The ‘Anchovies’ maintained 54% possession and registered 11 shots on goal compared to the opponent’s 7.

Team Dynamics and Tactical Adjustments

The long-term injury to key midfielder Luismi undoubtedly presents a significant challenge. However, there’s no cause for alarm. Pellicer has a proven track record of finding effective solutions in difficult circumstances, leveraging the full depth of his squad. One potential adjustment involves deploying central defender Einar Galilea in a defensive midfield role, a position he has experience playing. Furthermore, the attacking line has been bolstered by the arrival of Adrian Nino, who immediately found the net in his debut match.

Malaga’s Dominant Home Philosophy

Malaga, a seasoned campaigner in the Segunda Division, consistently dictates terms when playing at home. The team is expected to control both possession and territory, exerting relentless pressure on the league newcomers’ defense. Their sole previous encounter at La Rosaleda resulted in a 2-1 victory for the home side, reinforcing the established power dynamic.

Real Sociedad B’s Fortuitous Start

The Basque reserve team made their return to the Segunda Division with a surprising 1-0 victory over Zaragoza in their opening match. However, this scoreline can be deceptive. A closer look at the statistics reveals that this win was more a stroke of luck than a demonstration of consistent performance. Real Sociedad B was thoroughly outplayed, managing only 3 shots on target throughout the entire game compared to Zaragoza’s 18, and registering an xG of 0.48 against their opponents’ 2.22! Notably, the young Real Sociedad squad failed to register a single shot in the second half.

Challenges for the Youthful Visitors

As a newly promoted side and the only reserve team in the league, Real Sociedad B exhibits youthful exuberance but often lacks the necessary experience and physical strength for demanding away fixtures at this level. Malaga’s coach, Pellicer himself, has highlighted a “weakness in their defense.” Even their own manager, Jon Ansotegi, has conceded that they cannot simply defend for 90 minutes, acknowledging their inherent vulnerabilities. While they will likely attempt to play boldly, such an approach at La Rosaleda could prove disastrous.

A Tough Away Assignment

Essentially, we are looking at a young, inexperienced team that secured a result in their first match against the run of play. Replicating such an outcome away from home against Malaga will be an immense challenge. Their attacking output against Zaragoza was demonstrably blunt and uninspired.