Málaga CF will play SD Ponferradina, at El Toralín, on matchday 39 of LaLiga SmartBank. Kick off is tomorrow, Sunday at 16:15.
The Blue and Whites, in 19th place in the table with 40 points, face this rival in 20th place with 36 points. The locals need a win to avoid mathematical relegation to the Primera Federación, as has already happened with Ibiza (21st) and Lugo (22nd).
The match will be officiated by Sául Ais Reig from Valencia. Heading up the VAR is Daniel Ocón Arráiz from La Rioja.
Players in common SD Ponferradina-Málaga CF
Ismael, Miguel Ángel, Alberto Aguilar, Saúl, Ernesto, Jonatan Valle, Baha, Hélder Rosario, Ibán Cuadrado, Roberto Santamaría, Toribio, Javi López, Ignasi Miquel, Iván Rodríguez, Erik Morán, Buenacasa, Cristian Rodríguez, Jozabed and Hugo Vallejo
(*) Chakla, SD Ponferradina defender, played for Atlético Malagueño
(**) Kuki Zalazar and Óscar Sielva, former SD Ponferradina players, played for Atlético Malagueño
Coaches in common SD Ponferradina-Málaga CF
None
(*) Portugal’s José Gomes, former Ponferradina manager, was Málaga CF’s second coach in the 10/11 season
(**) Manolo Herrero, Málaga CF player (1996-98), coached SD Ponferradina in the 16/17 season
Players in common SD Ponferradina-CD Málaga
Duque
Coaches in common SD Ponferradina-CD Málaga
None
Players who debuted with Málaga CF against SD Ponferradina at El Toralín
MCF have won their last two away fixtures against Villarreal B (1-2) and CD Lugo (0-2). They have claimed 10 out of the last 12 points at stake and have maintained a clean sheet in five of their last seven matches, including the three before Ponferrada.
Luis Muñoz is suspended from this game due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Javi Jiménez and Loren are on a cycle of four.
Rubén Castro, with 10 goals, is the top Malaguista scorer. Yuri, Ojeda and Espiau, all with five goals, are the locals’ highest scorers.
Away from home in the league, Málaga CF have obtained three wins, five draws and 11 defeats (14 points), scoring 16 goals and conceding 23.
At home this season, SD Ponferradina have claimed five victories, six draws and eight defeats (21 points), scoring 15 goals and conceding 23.
Stats and facts
This will be the fifth time SD Ponferradina and Málaga CF will face each other in the Second Division at El Toralín. The four previous matches ended in two draws (2-2 in the 06/07 season and 1-1 in 20/21) and two defeats for the Malaguistas (1-0 in the 19/20 campaign and 4-0 in 21/22).
In the past seven seasons played in the silver division, on matchday 39, Málaga CF obtained four victories, one draw and two defeats. The most memorable win, on 30th May 1999, marked the penultimate promotion to the elite (3-2 against Albacete at La Rosaleda) for the Blue and White club.
