Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Malaga and Atletico Madrid's Liga clash - kicking off at 9pm UK time.

Diego comes forward but inexplicably Atletico slow down the counter and the move dies out.

Scrappy opening with neither side really getting hold of it.

The first half is underway!

Tweet away if you like, I can be found @Reda_Maher.

Returning hero Diego Simeone's first game in charge of the club he excelled for as a player comes with a few problems - Silvio Azevedo is injured and Paulo Assuncao suspended, while Juan Antonio Reyes ran back to Sevilla. Can he inspire Atletico beyond mediocrity? They have the players for sure! Four defeats on the trot before the Christmas break...

So for Malaga Julio Baptista and Joaquin are out - while Welligton returns from a ban. Van Nistelrooy does not make the XI.

TEAMS - Malaga: Willy, Gamez, Demichelis, Welligton, Monreal, Toulalan, Cazorla, Isco, Buonanotte, Juanmi, Rondon /// Atletico: Courtois, Perea, Godin, Dominguez, Filipe, Tiago, Juanfran, Gabi, Diego, Salvio, Falcao

FACT: Malaga are without a win in their last three league games, conceding six and scoring three; Four of Málaga’s five home wins in the league this season have been by a one-goal margin.

FACT: Malaga have won just one of their last four league matches at home to Atletico (3-0 in 2009/10); Malaga have won more games at home to Atletico than any other side from Madrid in Primera (four, three vs Getage, two vs Rayo and none vs Real Madrid).