The Malaguistas, with 32 points in 16th place in the standings, will face an Albinegro squad in 22nd place with 15 points, currently in the relegation zone to Primera Federación.
The match will be officiated by Sergiu Claudiu Muresan. The 33-year-old Spanish-Romanian referee, who is making his debut in the Second Division this season, has already officiated two Málaga CF matches this campaign (a 1-1 draw at La Rosaleda against Mirandés and 1-3 away to Sporting de Gijón). The VAR will be overseen by Iván Caparrós Hernández from Valencia.
Players in common FC Cartagena-Málaga CF
Sergio Magano*, Domínguez, Kiko Ramírez, Sabino, Josemi, Alberto Aguilar, Manolo Reina, Armando Lozano, Alcalá, Carpintero, Jordi Pablo, Manu Torres, Manolo Gaspar, Rubén, Keko Gontán, Harper, Mejías, Calero, Kiko Olivas, Sadiku, Álex Gallar, Rubén Castro, Delmás, Luis Muñoz, Sangalli, Jony, Ferreiro and Sergio Guerrero ‘Mini’
(*) Atlético Malagueño player -first team-
(**) Okazaki, former FC Cartagena player, belonged to Málaga CF in the summer of 2019
(***) Reserve team players Abel Valenzuela, Gonzales Vigil, Roberto Camacho, Gato, Poley, Óscar Sielva, Kuki Zalazar, Clavería and Aarón Escandell also played for Cartagena
Coaches in common FC Cartagena-Málaga CF
Víctor Sánchez del Amo
(*) Gustavo Munúa, ex Málaga CF goalkeeper, was coach of FC Cartagena
Match info
• Alfonso Herrero is the only Malaguista who has played every single minute (2,340) of all the matches in LALIGA HYPERMOTION. The Toledo-born goalkeeper is the leader of the league in saves, with a total of 114 (4.38 per match), and currently ranks third in the Zamora Trophy standings (with a coefficient of 1.08).
• Dioni, with six goals, is the top scorer for Málaga CF. The former Blue and White player Luis Muñoz, along with Valles and Andy, all with three goals, are the leading scorers for FC Cartagena.
• In the last four matches, three Málaga players scored their first goals of the season: Manu Molina, Lobete, and Pastor. In total, 12 MCF players have found the net so far this campaign.
• Carlos Puga is suspended. Nelson Monte, Víctor García, Dani Sánchez, Gabilondo, and Pastor are all at risk of suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
• Málaga CF's away record in the league stands at one win, eight draws, and four losses (11 points) from 13 matches, with 14 goals scored and 18 conceded.
• FC Cartagena, the team with the fewest points at home in LALIGA HYPERMOTION, have two wins, two draws, and eight losses (8 points) from 12 matches, with 6 goals scored and 15 conceded.
Stats and facts
• This will be the fourth time Málaga CF visit Cartagonova in the Second Division. In the first encounter, during the 2020/21 season, Málaga drew 1-1 with a goal from Jozabed. In the 2021/22 season, Cartagena won 3-1, with a goal from Peybernes for Málaga. Last season, 2022/23, Cartagena won 2-1, with Cristian scoring for MCF.
• In the Second Division, Club Deportivo Málaga played against the now-defunct Cartagena FC on four occasions. The record includes one loss (3-0, 61/62), two draws (1-1 in the 85/86 season and 0-0 in the 86/87 season), and one win (0-3, 87/88) in favour of Málaga.
• The extinct CD Málaga and Cartagena CF also faced off twice in the regular Second Division league in Murcia, during the 41/42 and 51/52 seasons, with the same result: 1-1.
• In the eight seasons Málaga CF played in the Second Division, on matchday 27, the team recorded two wins, two draws, and four losses.