Atletico Madrid begin their 2026/27 La Liga campaign tonight, with newly-promoted Malaga heading to the Metropolitano for their first top-flight match since 2018.
Diego Simeone’s side will expect to start with three points, but Malaga arrive having scored regularly during their promotion campaign and could make this more competitive than the odds suggest.
We’ve put together an ambitious 126.00 Bet Builder, combining an Atletico victory with goals, cards, corners and player markets.
Our 126.00 Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Bet Builder
- Atletico Madrid to win
- Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Ademola Lookman to score anytime
- Atletico Madrid most cards
- Atletico Madrid most corners
- David Larrubia 1+ shots on target
- Jose Salinas to be carded
Combined odds: 126.00
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change.
Atletico Madrid to Win & Both Teams to Score
Atletico will be determined to improve after finishing fourth last season, and their home record gives them a strong platform. Simeone’s side won 15 of their 19 home league matches, collecting 46 points at the Metropolitano.
Malaga face a huge step up after winning promotion through the Segunda Division playoffs, but they should not simply be written off as an attacking threat. They scored in 13 of their final 14 matches last season, while both teams found the net in seven of Atletico’s final ten La Liga games.
We’re therefore backing Malaga to contribute to the scoring, but Atletico’s superior quality to eventually tell.
Ademola Lookman to Score Anytime
With Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth expected to miss out, Ademola Lookman could have a major role in Atletico’s attack.
The Super Eagles star has made an impressive start to life in Madrid, scoring nine goals in his first 24 appearances after arriving from Atalanta in February. He also showed his sharpness during pre-season with a brace in Atletico’s 4-1 win over Getafe.
Lookman has already scored against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Real Sociedad since moving to Spain. Against a newly-promoted Malaga side, we’re backing the Nigerian to open his account for the new campaign.
Atletico Madrid Most Corners
Even without Alvarez and Sorloth, Atletico have enough attacking talent to put Malaga under sustained pressure.
Summer arrivals Alejandro Grimaldo and Lee Kang-in add further creativity, while Lookman and Giuliano Simeone provide direct attacking threats. Against a promoted side expected to spend long periods defending, Atletico should have plenty of opportunities in the final third.
That makes the hosts to record the most corners our next selection.
Atletico Madrid Most Cards
Atletico may be favourites, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Malaga will dominate the disciplinary markets.
Simeone’s team collected 79 yellow cards in La Liga last season, averaging more than two per game and recording the third-worst disciplinary record in the competition.
They have also added Morten Hjulmand to their midfield after the Dane collected 14 yellow cards for Sporting last season. Atletico to receive the most cards therefore adds an interesting angle to our Bet Builder.
David Larrubia 1+ Shots on Target
David Larrubia was instrumental in getting Malaga back into La Liga, scoring 12 times during their promotion-winning campaign.
He averaged almost one shot on target per 90 minutes as a starter in the Segunda Division and registered at least one in six of his final seven matches from the beginning.
Malaga may not create many clear opportunities at the Metropolitano, but Larrubia is one of their likeliest players to test the Atletico goalkeeper when chances do arrive.
Jose Salinas to Be Carded
Finally, we’re backing Malaga summer signing Jose Salinas to pick up a card on his debut.
The left-back collected four yellow cards from only 13 appearances for Espanyol last season and committed exactly two fouls in each of his four starts across La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
His assignment tonight could be particularly difficult. Lee Kang-in and Giuliano Simeone can both operate from Atletico’s right, with the latter averaging 1.7 fouls won per 90 as a starter last season.
Interestingly, Salinas was also booked against Atletico as an 88th-minute substitute last August. A much longer exposure to their attack tonight could put him firmly in the referee’s sights.
Back Our 126.00 Atletico Madrid vs Malaga Bet Builder
Atletico should have too much quality for the newly-promoted visitors, but we’re backing Malaga to contribute enough to help our more ambitious markets.
