The Malaguistas, currently 6th with 41 points in the promotion playoff spots, face this rival sitting 13th in the table with 34 points.
The match will be officiated by Daniel Palencia. The 34-year-old referee from the Basque Country is in his second season in the Second Division. He has refereed Málaga CF twice in the 2025/26 campaign (a 2-1 defeat in Burgos and a 3-2 home win against Mirandés). He will be assisted by Raúl Martín González from the Canary Islands on VAR.
Players in common Málaga CF-Albacete BP
Ángelo*, Basti*, Emilio, José González, Axier, Calandria, Salva Ballesta, José Juan Luque, Antonio Hidalgo, Antonio López, Pina, Carpintero, Jon Erice, Edu Ramos, Sergio Sánchez, Héctor Hernández, Keko Gontán, Cifuentes, Febas, Rubén Castro and Diego González
(*) Also played for CD Málaga
(**) Murillo, a defender for Málaga CF, came through the youth academy of Albacete Balompié
Coaches in common Málaga CF-Albacete BP
José González
(*) The home coach, Alberto González, previously managed in the youth ranks of Málaga CF
Players in common CD Málaga-Albacete BP
Camoto, Lezama, Juanele, Parra, Antonio Merino, Jon García, Fonseca, Da Silva, Chesa and Padilla
Coaches in common CD Málaga-Albacete BP
None
Players who debuted with Málaga CF against Albacete Balompié at La Rosaleda
• Gascón (Málaga CF 0-3 Albacete Balompié, 11/02/2007)
• Iván Rosado (Málaga CF 0-3 Albacete Balompié, 11/02/2007)
• Luismi (Málaga CF 2-1 Albacete Balompié, 31/08/2024)
• Castel (Málaga CF 2-1 Albacete Balompié, 31/08/2024)
Match info
• Alfonso Herrero is the only player from Málaga CF to have played all 2,340 minutes of the league campaign. The Toledo-born goalkeeper ranks second in total saves so far this season (89), behind Andrés Fernández of UD Almería, who has made 93 saves.
• Chupe is Málaga’s top scorer (10 goals) and leading assist provider (3) in LALIGA HYPERMOTION. For the visitors, Antonio Puertas and Agus Medina are the highest scorers, with 7 goals each.
• David Larrubia, who has recorded 7 goals and 2 assists so far this season, is the top dribbler in the Second Division with 75 successful dribbles.
• Aaron Ochoa is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. With four bookings in the current cycle, one away from a federation suspension, are Izan Merino and Carlos Puga.
• Málaga CF, the third-best home side in the league, have recorded eight wins, four draws and one defeat in 13 matches (28 points), scoring 26 goals and conceding 13.
• Albacete Balompié have played 13 matches away from home, recording four wins, five draws and four defeats (17 points), with 17 goals scored and 17 conceded.
Stats and facts
• This will be the ninth time Málaga CF and Albacete Balompié meet at La Rosaleda Stadium in the Second Division. In the previous eight meetings, Málaga have recorded four wins, two draws and two defeats. The most recent encounter ended in a 2-1 victory for MCF in the 2024/25 season on matchday 3.
• Málaga secured their penultimate promotion to the First Division on 30th May 1999, at La Rosaleda, against Albacete. The match ended 3-2, with Blue and White goals scored by Bravo, Edgar, and Agostinho.
• In the First Division at Martiricos, the two sides have met twice more, resulting in one draw (1-1 in the 2003/04 season) and one defeat (0-2 in the 2004/05 season) for Málaga CF.
• CD Málaga played three official matches at La Rosaleda against Albacete, all in the Second Division. The record includes one win (3-2 in the 1990/91 season, with goals from Onofre, Toledano, and Paquito) and two goalless draws (1961/62 and 1985/86).
• In the nine previous seasons in the Second Division, on matchday 27, Málaga CF recorded three wins, two draws, and four defeats.
