The Malaguistas sit 20^th in the table with 3 points and welcome a Catalan side currently 15^th on 7 points.

Francisco José Hernández will referee #MálagaEspanyol. The 38-year-old is in his fourth season officiating in the top flight. He will be assisted by José Antonio López on VAR.

Players in common Málaga CF-RCD Espanyol

Urbano, Rufete, Darío Silva, José Juan Luque, Caicedo, Valdo, Kameni, Sergio Sánchez, Demichelis, Sergi Darder, Roberto Jiménez, Andrés Prieto, Rosales, Keidi Bare, Vadillo, Víctor Gómez, Roberto Fernández, Manu Molina, Calero and Salinas

(*) Pastor came through Espanyol’s youth academy, while former Málaga CF player Víctor García was part of the RCD Espanyol youth setup

(**) Espanyol youth academy graduate Óscar Sielva played for Atlético Malagueño

Coaches in common Málaga CF-RCD Espanyol

José Manuel Díaz Novoa and Juande Ramos

Players in common CD Málaga-RCD Espanyol

Navés, Domenech, Meri, Camer, Vera, Soto, Benavídez, Zamora, Carlos Torres, Cabral, Vilches, Fortes, Bio, Fonseca, Lauridsen and Jaime Molina

Coaches in common CD Málaga-RCD Espanyol

Ricardo Zamora, Antonio Barrios, Ernesto Pons, Jeno Kalmar, Marcel Domingo, Milorad Pavic and Ladislao Kubala

(*) José Luis Saso, RCD Espanyol coach, was a player for CD Málaga

Match info

• Alfonso Herrero and Recio are the only Málaga CF players to have played every minute (630) so far this season. The Toledo-born goalkeeper ranks among the top three in the league for saves, with 28, just three behind leader Álvaro Valles (31).

• Fernando Calero and Adam Aznou are Málaga CF’s two summer signings yet to make their debuts.

• Chupe, Niño and Dotor have each scored once for the Malaguistas so far this season. Former Málaga player Roberto is the visitors’ leading scorer with six goals.

• Málaga CF have recorded two draws and one defeat in their three home matches this season, earning two points, scoring two goals and conceding four.

• RCD Espanyol have recorded one win and two defeats in their three away matches this season, earning three points, scoring four goals and conceding four.

Stats and facts

• Málaga CF and RCD Espanyol have met 17 times in La Rosaleda in the First Division. Málaga’s record stands at 8 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats, with 27 goals scored and 21 conceded.

• A winning start to life in the top flight for MCF. On 22 August 1999, Málaga kicked off the 1999/00 season at home to Espanyol at La Rosaleda. The ‘Peiró Boys’ secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a 73^rd-minute goal from Catanha.

• CD Málaga faced the club formerly known as RCD Español 23 times at La Rosaleda, including 18 meetings in the elite. Málaga recorded 11 wins, 9 draws and 3 defeats, scoring 36 goals and conceding 17.

• Viberti’s debut and a four-goal haul for Wanderley. CD Málaga’s biggest-ever win over Español at La Rosaleda came in the 1969/70 season, with a 5-0 victory. It was a special day as Argentine legend Sebastián Viberti made his Málaga debut, scoring the fifth goal, while Brazilian striker Wanderley netted the other four.

• On matchday 8 across Málaga CF’s 17 previous seasons in the First Division, the club recorded 7 wins, 2 draws and 8 defeats.