Evening all! Week 24 in La Liga draws to a close this evening as Malaga welcome Real Sociedad to La Rosaleda. The home side have dropped to 17th position in the table this weekend, while Sociedad's top-four hopes have been boosted following defeats for Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao. Both sides are in desperate need of the points, but for very different reasons.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sociedad have won three of the last five matches, with the further two fixtures ending in draws. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 2-1 win for Sociedad, but the reverse clash at San Sebastian earlier this season ended in a goalless draw.

TEAMS:

MALAGA: Caballero; Angeleri, Camacho, Flavio, Antunes; Iakovenko, Tissone, Darder, Amrabat; Portillo, El Hamdaoui

SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Zaldua, Ansotegi, I. Martinez, Angel; Canales, Bergara, Pardo; Griezmann, Seferovic, Vela

So there we have it. Much-changed Malaga XI this evening with Weligton, Roque Santa Cruz, Pablo Perez and Duda among those dropping out, but there is a first start for January signing Iakovenko, who scored on his debut last week. Sociedad, meanwhile, are without Imanol Agirretxe, meaning that Haris Seferovic leads their line. Sergio Canales also starts for the visitors in central midfield.

Malaga enter the match off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano last weekend, while they have won just one of their last five matches in the league. That run of form has left them just above the relegation zone on 24 points. However, victory this evening could move them as high as 12th – that is an indication of the closeness in the bottom half of the table.

Five of Malaga's six league wins this season have come on their own patch. They have won more games (five) at home than any other side in the bottom half of the table, but have won just once on the road, which is an indication of their troubles. This time last season, Malaga were preparing for the latter stages of the Champions League.

Goals have been a problem for Malaga this season with just 23 in their 23 matches, four of which have been scored by Roque Santa Cruz. Sociedad, meanwhile, have struck 42 times thus far. Their top scorer with 14 is in-demand Frenchman Antoine Griezmann. Down the other end, the records are fairly similar with Malaga conceding 33 times to Sociedad's 34.

Sociedad, meanwhile, have collected 37 points from their 23 matches this season, with that total leaving them in sixth position in the table. A recent poor run of form seemed to have ended their top-four hopes, but they now sit just three points behind fifth-place Villarreal and seven behind fourth-place Bilbao following defeats for the pair this weekend.

However, Sociedad have been disappointing on the road this season. Seven of their 10 wins in the league have come on their own patch, with just three arriving on their travels. If it wasn't for such a strong record at the San Sebastian – where they have lost just once – they would be far from challenging for the top four.

PREDICTION: Both sides are in desperate need of the points, but for very different reasons. There are plenty of attacking players on the pitch, which points to an open affair, but I am backing Sociedad to collect all three points. My score prediction is 2-1 Sociedad at La Rosaleda.

So there we have it. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining fixture on this mild evening in Malaga. The away side get the action underway.

Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. The home supporters will demand a response from their side on their own patch. Bright start from Sociedad as they force a free kick down the right when Iakovenko fells Canales. However, the resulting set piece from Pardo is headed behind by Darder.

The first half-chance of the evening arrives for Sociedad as Seferovic meets a corner from Pardo outside the box, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the opening four minutes with Sociedad in control of the possession.

Sociedad want a penalty as Canales is bundled over inside the box by Tissone following a swift break, but the referee is not interested. Sociedad look much stronger in the final third at the moment with Vela and Griezmann both seeing plenty of the ball. Malaga, meanwhile, have not been allowed to start on their own patch.

Slight problem for Tissone as the Malaga midfielder hits the deck in the middle of the pitch, but the Argentine does return to his feet following a period of treatment. The one-way traffic continues as Sociedad dominate possession of the ball. However, neither side has created a clear opportunity in the opening eight minutes of action.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Canales turns on the edge of the box before feeding Vela, whose first touch takes him into a one-on-one situation with Caballero. However, the Mexican's effort is straight at the Malaga stopper from close range.

Malaga open the scoring with 10 minutes on the clock as Jose Angel drives down the left before finding Vela, who slides his effort into the bottom corner. First blood to the visitors.

That strike from Vela has silenced the stadium. The home side attempt to respond from a free kick outside the box, but Darder's delivery is cleared by Inigo Martinez. Sociedad break down the other end moments later, but Canales cannot find the run of Griezmann. Pulsating 14 minutes of football in Malaga.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but Malaga have started to see more of the ball. Meanwhile, the referee has been more involved than he would have liked due to a number of late challenges. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.

Half-chance for the home side as Iakovenko finds some space outside the box before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Much better from the hosts in the last few moments with the likes of Amrabat and Portillo starting to see more of the ball.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but Sociedad have resumed their period of control. Griezmann shows bright footwork to work some space down the right, but his cross is straight into the arms of Caballero, who has been largely untroubled since the opening goal.

Half-chance for the home side as Amrabat finds some space down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Bravo is on hand to collect. Sociedad break down the other end with Griezmann, but the Frenchman is felled by Iakovenko. The resulting free kick is played short and comes to nothing.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges. Iakovenko receives a period of treatment after clashing with Bravo, but the Ukraine international returns to his feet moments later. Still 1-0 Sociedad with 25 minutes on the clock.

Possession football from Sociedad in the last few moments as they dominate the ball in the Malaga half. However, they are finding it more difficult to break through in the final third. Iakovenko, meanwhile, returns to the field after being patched up. It appears that the Malaga midfielder suffered a cut to his head during a high challenge.

The referee is not happy that the cut has been dealt with and sends Iakovenko from the field, but the Ukraine midfielder finally returns after another period of treatment. Not too much to report on the field, however, with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third.

Just a few signs that Malaga are starting to warm to their task as Antunes finds some space down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but Ansotegi is on hand to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered by Iakovenko, but Camacho can only force his effort high of the crossbar from close range.

CHANCE! Malaga's best chance of the first period falls to Iakovenko as the midfielder turns on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but Bravo is on hand to make a smart save. Everything good about Malaga has come through the Ukraine international in the opening 34 minutes.

Not too much from Sociedad in terms of an attacking threat in the last few moments as Malaga continue to dominate the ball, but you just get the feeling that the home side need to score during this positive period. Goals have been a problem this season and it is not too difficult to see why that has been the case.

Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and still Sociedad lead by that early strike from Vela. Malaga have improved since then, but the majority of their chances have been from distance - another arrives from Tissone, but his effort is wide of the post.

Antunes enters the referee's book for kicking out at Vela while the Mexican was on the ground. The Portuguese is lucky that the official did not take a different view on that situation. Sociedad play the resulting set piece short and eventually the move breaks down. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining.

Sociedad's best football of the first period brings a half-chance as Canales finds some space inside the Malaga box, but his effort is straight at Flavio. That has been the story of the half thus far - plenty of positive spells of possession, but little end product from either side.

Half-chance for the home side as Darder tries his luck from outside the box, but Bravo manages to collect at the second time of asking. That should be just about that for the first period at La Rosaleda.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Sociedad leading 1-0 courtesy of a smart finish from Vela after 10 minutes. Malaga have dominated since then, but clear chances have been at a premium in the first half of action in Week 24's final La Liga encounter.

STATISTICS: Sociedad have had more of the possession with 55%, but they have had just three attempts to Malaga's four. It has not been a particularly feisty half in terms of challenges, but the referee booked Malaga defender Antunes for kicking out at Vela.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Santa Cruz, Perez, Duda and Samuel. Sociedad, meanwhile, have the likes of Xabi Prieto, Zurutuza, Castro and Ifran in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result. The home side get the second 45 minutes underway at La Rosaleda.

One change for the home side at the interval with Portillo leaving the field for Duda, who as a surprise non-starter this evening. Sociedad, meanwhile, go with the same XI, which is not much of a surprise. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. Already a high intensity to the second period with the challenges from both sides flying in.

Half-chance for Malaga as Antunes collects a loose ball on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Sociedad in the early stages of the second period with the home side in control of the tempo. El Hamdaoui creates some space on the edge of the box, but his through pass towards Amrabat is cleared.

Half-chance for Sociedad on the counter as Vela finds himself beyond the Malaga defence, but Caballero is out to clear at the vital moment. Malaga keep the pressure on down the other end as Amrabat strikes one from outside the box, but his effort just whistles wide of the post.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Zaldua breaks into the box before attempting to lift his effort over Caballero after falling to the ground, but the Malaga stopper is on hand to make the save. The end-to-end period of the match continues as the home side break with Amrabat, but once more Bravo is largely untroubled.

Half-chance for the home side as Duda's dangerous free kick is met by Seferovic, but the Sociedad striker manages to turn behind his own goal. Duda feeds Tissone on the edge of the box from the resulting corner, but Inigo Martinez makes a fine block at the vital moment.

Seferovic tries his luck for the away side following a swift counter attack, but his effort is straight into the arms of Caballero, who immediately releases Amrabat down the other end. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the match continues to flow from end-to-end.

The opportunities continue to arrive at both ends as Duda attempts to float one over the head of Bravo, but the Sociedad stopper makes the save. We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Once more Iakovenko is forced off to have his head wound bandaged. That is becoming a concern for the home side.

Malaga make their second change of the match as Samuel enters the field in place of Iakovenko, who has been forced to admit defeat following a head wound in the first period. Moments before, Vela had a one-on-one situation with Caballero, but the Mexican was denied by the flag. It was an extremely tight call from the linesman.

Double change for Sociedad as Canales and Seferovic are replaced by Prieto and Zurutuza. In truth, that is not much of a surprise. The away side were in need of some fresh blood in midfield and forward areas. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining and still Sociedad lead courtesy of that 10th-minute strike from Vela.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but the home side continue to dominate possession of the ball. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the match. Another for Sociedad on the counter attack would surely wrap up all the points.

Both managers have one permitted change remaining should they wish to alter proceedings. It would be a surprise if more changes were not made. Malaga continue to work the ball from left to right, but the Sociedad back four have been extremely impressive this evening.

Malaga do indeed make their third and final change as El Hamdaoui is replaced by Santa Cruz, who is their top scorer in the league this season. The former Manchester City forward comes close to making an immediate impact as Duda delivers a high cross into the box, but Inigo Martinez manages to block his header at the vital moment. Little over 15 minutes remaining.

It is almost like a training exercise at the moment as Sociedad continue to drop deeper and deeper, with Malaga forcing the issue. However, despite a number of crosses into the box, the home side are finding it difficult to really test Bravo in the Sociedad goal.

It's brilliant from Tissone as the Argentine beats two men on the edge of the box before firing a 30-yard ball towards Amrabat, but the Turkish forward cannot control, which brings more groans from the home supporters. As it stands, Malaga would remain just outside the relegation zone in 17th position.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to level as Santa Cruz stoops to meet a low cross from Antunes, but his header is straight at Bravo from close range. The home side are certainly getting closer with little over 10 minutes of football remaining at La Rosaleda.

CHANCE! It is Santa Cruz against Bravo once more as the Malaga forward drives into the box before attempting to place his effort into the bottom corner, but once more the Sociedad stopper makes a brilliant save.

Vela wants a free kick on the edge of the box as the Sociedad attacker is seemingly upended by Angeleri, but the referee is not interested. Moments later, the away side make their third and final change as Pardo is replaced by Elustondo. Time is running out for Malaga with little over five minutes of football remaining.

Sociedad just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Malaga continue to force the issue with high balls into the box. Santa Cruz continues to cause problems with his presence, but he is being closely marked by Ansotegi. Sociedad enjoy a rare counter moments later, but Griezmann slices his effort high of the crossbar from just inside the box.

Not too much to report in terms of Malaga pressure in the last couple of moments with Sociedad slowing the tempo with possession. However, you just get the feeling that there is another big chance left in this match. Time is running out for Malaga with 87 minutes on the clock.

It is almost as if Malaga have lost belief in the last five minutes or so with Sociedad now fairly comfortable in the final third. The home supporters have started to make their way toward the exits, but that is a little bit premature with one minute and stoppage time still to play. Is there to be late drama?

The fourth official has indicated that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Santa Cruz has a half-chance after good work from Tissone, but his effort is blocked by Zaldua, who has been brilliant this evening.

So there we have it. Sociedad boost their top-four hopes with a 1-0 win over Malaga, whose troubles continue. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the La Liga action. Good evening!