The Malaguistas, in 20^th place with 25 points, face this rival in 18^th place (33 points), marking the safety zone in the division.

Officiating is Álvaro Moreno Aragón. Born in Granada and assigned to the Madrid committee, the 32-year-old is enjoying his sixth season in the Second Division. In the silver category, he has accumulated 118 matches ending in 58 local wins, 29 draws and 31 visitor victories. This season he has officiated Málaga CF once (1-0 defeat against Levante UD). He will be accompanied on the VAR by Daniel Ocón Arráiz from La Rioja.

Players in common Málaga CF-Real Racing Club

Solaeta, Salva Ballesta, Diego Alonso, Alexis, César Navas, Geijo, Calatayud, Anderson, Schürrer, Jonatan Valle, Valdo, Toribio, Juanmi, Lacen, Mamadou Koné, Adrián González, Caye Quintana, Jairo, Harper, Sekou and Rubén Castro

(*) Andreu and Marc Torrejón, from Málaga CF ‘B’, played for Racing de Santander. Rafa de Vicente, former Racing player, was with Atlético Malagueño between 2012 and 2015. Paulino, a Málaga CF player in 21/22, trained in the Real Racing Club youth ranks

Coaches in common Málaga CF-Real Racing Club

Gregorio Manzano, Marcos Alonso, Juan Ramón López Muñiz and José Alberto López

(*) Víctor Sánchez del Amo, ex Malaguista coach, played for Real Racing Club (98/99)

Players in common CD Málaga-Real Racing Club

Huete*, Alonso*, García Gordillo*, Yayo*, Galcerá*, Fuentes, Garín, Lezama, Galacho, San Emeterio, Sobrado, Martínez, Espina, Gento II, Varela, Corral and Macan

(*) Under the CD Malacitano name

Coaches in common CD Málaga-Real Racing Club

Cristóbal Martí, Luis Urquiri, Antonio Barrios, Gabriel Andonegui, Juan Otxoa and Otto Bumbel

Players who debuted with Málaga CF against Real Racing Club at La Rosaleda

• Pato (Málaga CF 2-1 Racing de Santander, 10/06/2001)
• Edinho (Málaga CF 1-2 Racing de Santander, 19/09/2009)

Match info

• Luis Muñoz, Javi Jiménez and Loren are the Malaguistas on the verge of suspension with four yellow cards. Febas, who has played all LaLiga SmartBank games up to now (29), is suspended form this game.
• Rubén Castro, with seven goals, is the top Blue and White goal scorer, just two from the historic ‘pichichi’ in the Second Division, Nino (194). Jordi Mboula, with six goals, is Racing’s highest scorer.
• At home in the league in 14 matches, Málaga CF have accumulated four wins, six draws and four defeats (18 points), scoring 14 goals and conceding 15.
• Away from home in LaLiga SmartBank in 15 matches, Racing de Santander have obtained four victories, four draws and seven defeats (16 points), scoring 12 goals and conceding 15.

Stats and facts

• This is the second time Málaga CF will face Racing de Santander, at La Rosaleda, in a Second Division clash. Last time was in 19/20, ending in a 2-0 win for the Malaguistas with goals from Tete Morente and David Lombán.
• In the First Division, there have been 10 matches between the Blue and Whites and Racing, ending in six wins, two draws and two defeats for MCF. There was also a Copa del Rey clash in the 2007/08 season, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The total number of goals scored by the Malaguistas is 18, with nine conceded.
• As CD Málaga in the Second Division at La Rosaleda, there have been five matches against the outfit from Santander culminating in five Malaguista victories (18 goals scored and three conceded). The last duel, in 91/92, ended in a 2-1 win with Blue and White goals from Castillo and Kirov.
• In the past seven seasons played in the silver division, on matchday 30, MCF obtained two victories, three draws and two defeats. On matchday 30 last season, the game ended in a 1-2 win in Amorebieta with goals from Brandon (penalty) and Juande.