#MálagaRealSociedad will be officiated by Xavier Estrada Fernández from Catalonia, who has refereed 26 official Málaga CF matches (21 in the First Division and 5 in the Second Division), with the following results:
- First Division: 2 victories, 8 draws and 11 defeats
- Second Division: 5 victories
Players in common Málaga CF-Real Sociedad
Mikel Roteta, Gerardo, Juanito, Nacho, Schürrer, Rossato, Juanmi, Diego Llorente and Chory Castro
Players in common CD Málaga-Real Sociedad
Sagrado, Azcue, Del Río, Egusquiza and Goicoechea
Coaches in common CD Málaga-Real Sociedad
Antonio Barrios
(*) Two players from the Real Sociedad youth ranks belonged to both Málaga CF (Jon Bakero) and Málaga CF ‘B’ (Zubillaga)
(**) Although there are no coaches in common between Málaga CF and Real Sociedad, there are the curious cases of Javi Gracia, MCF coach (2014-2016) who was a Real player (1995-1999), taking part in 106 League games and scoring 12 goals. Also, José Mari Bakero was a Real Sociedad player and coach, and Málaga B coach in the Second Division (2004/05)
To take into account
- Injured Recio and Ricca, together with Iturra and Chory, are the Malaguistas on the brink of sanction on a cycle of four yellow cards.
- Real have scored 16 points in 16 away games in LaLiga 17/18, accumulating 4 victories, 4 draws and 8 defeats, scoring 19 goals and conceding 26.
Stats and facts
- Málaga CF and Real Sociedad have faced each other 14 times in the First Division at La Rosaleda, with a Malaguista balance of results of 4 victories, 3 draws and 7 defeats.
- In addition, they have locked horns in the Second Division and Copa del Rey, with 1 victory and 1 defeat for the Malaguistas.
- Málaga CF and Real Sociedad have already met at La Rosaleda on matchday 34, in this case the 2011/12 season, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw
- Málaga CF, on matchday 34 of its previous 16 seasons in the First Division, has obtained 6 victories, 4 draws and 6 defeats.
