La Liga Picks & Predictions: Malaga vs. Espanyol (Friday)
Málaga hosts Espanyol at La Rosaleda on Friday, October 9, in Week 8 of the 2026 La Liga season. For bettors exploring the Málaga vs. Espanyol odds, the match offers several ways to approach the action, from the three-way moneyline to goal totals and both teams to score. Below, we break down the matchup and highlight our best La Liga picks and predictions for Friday's contest.
Best La Liga Week 8 Bets & Picks: Malaga vs. Espanyol
Here are our top La Liga picks and predictions for Week 8.
Malaga vs. Espanyol Picks
Friday night's game features last-place Malaga taking on Espanyol. While it's been a rough start for Malaga, they've lost just three games by more than one goal, with two of those results coming against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Espanyol has dropped back-to-back matches to Elche and Rayo Vallecano, two clubs that sit 18th and 12th in the table, respectively. So while Espanyol has seven points and 10 goals for, I can't help but feel a little worried about recent performances when looking at who has the advantage in this match.
I really want to take Malaga to win this match at +175. However, this is a team with just three goals and a -9 goal differential this season. Yet, while I'm avoiding that play, I am expecting plenty of goals in this match.
Though Malaga has struggled offensively, they've scored in two of their last three matches, and they're about to play a team that has allowed five goals in its last two matches. However, shutting out Espanyol is no easy task, as they've scored in every match this season, and should have no trouble against a defense that has allowed 12 goals already.
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals (+105)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.