Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF Prediction & Preview - LaLiga

·3 min read·By Denver

Atlético Madrid host newly promoted Málaga CF in their LaLiga opener on 19 August 2026 - form, team news and a scoreline prediction.

Atlético Madrid open their 2026-27 LaLiga season at home to Málaga CF on Wednesday 19 August 2026, kick-off 20:00 BST, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid. It is matchday one of the new campaign for both clubs, and Málaga's first LaLiga fixture in eight years following promotion from the second division.

  • Fixture: Atlético Madrid v Málaga CF
  • Competition: LaLiga, matchday one
  • Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
  • Kick-off: 20:00 BST
  • Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid

Full details and the game's prediction page are here: Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF.

What time is kick-off for Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF?

Kick-off is at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 19 August 2026, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid. It's one of the earlier fixtures of LaLiga's opening round, with several other matchday one games not played until the following weekend.

Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF head-to-head and recent form

There is no previous meeting between Atlético Madrid and Málaga CF in our archive.

Atlético's pre-season has been mixed. They beat Getafe 4-1 on 29 July, then lost 2-1 to Manchester United on 1 August and 3-1 to Manchester City on 9 August, before closing out their friendlies with a 2-1 win away to Olympique de Marseille on 14 August.

Málaga's form is drawn from a longer stretch, since their most recent competitive fixtures came in LaLiga 2 as they secured promotion: a 2-0 win at Real Zaragoza on 31 May, a 1-0 win away to Las Palmas on 7 June and a 1-1 draw with Las Palmas at home on 10 June. Since then they have played five friendlies, losing 2-1 to AD Ceuta, beating Al-Arabi SC 4-2, and drawing with Al-Ittihad, Leicester City and Fulham. Málaga's return to Spain's top flight was sealed with a 2-1 promotion play-off win over UD Almería in June, their first season back in LaLiga since 2018.

Team news for Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF

Atlético will be without Alexander Sørloth. The Norwegian forward has a muscle injury reported to keep him out for the start of the league season, which covers Wednesday's opener. Summer signing Alex Baena is also carrying a low-grade muscle injury and is expected to be out for around two weeks.

Málaga's squad has changed since promotion was confirmed, with six players including Gabilondo and Javi Montero leaving the club over the summer. Chupe, the club's leading scorer in the promotion campaign, and winger David Larrubia lead the attack, with Alfonso Herrero in goal.

Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF prediction

Atlético Madrid to beat Málaga CF in Wednesday's LaLiga opener at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano is the call here. Atlético's pre-season form has been patchy and they go into the match without Sørloth, but their squad still carries more top-flight quality than a side just up from the second tier. Málaga have shown they can score and concede freely in the friendlies, with three draws and a defeat in their last four warm-up games, and a first game back in LaLiga after eight years is a serious step up from the level that got them there.

Our prediction: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Málaga CF

Make your prediction

You can call this match yourself before kick-off. CalledItMate's prediction game is free to play - it takes no money from you, just your call on the score - and correct predictions count toward the season's leaderboard and cash prizes. Make your call on the Atlético Madrid vs Málaga CF match page, or read how to play first if you're new to it.

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