C.D. Leganés looking to finish 2021 victorious in Málaga

C.D. Leganés compete in their last league fixture of the year and 21st of the season this Saturday 18th at 16:00 against Málaga C.F. at the La Rosaleda. The Pepineros are looking to wrap up 2021 with a win to push them higher up the table.

The final fixture of the year and of this stretch of the season comes this weekend for Leganés, right before the football breaks for Christmas. The Pepineros, off the back of clinching a last-16 spot in the Copa del Rey against Cultural in León (2-3), will be wondering if Santa came early and if he will also deliver another three points to elevate their LaLiga SmartBank campaign on Saturday. 

Blanquiazul boss, Mehdi Nafti, will have to go without Canarian centre back Bruno González, who received his fifth yellow of the season in the previous encounter with S.D. Ponferradina and, along with it, a one-match ban. Neither Luis Perea nor Fede Vico will make an appearance until the new year, while Javi Hernández, suspended for last matchday against the Bercianos, is available together with a now Covid-19-free Bustinza. 

Málaga C.F., a volver a hacerse fuerte en La Rosaleda

Málaga C.F. make their final footballing stand of 2021 on the familiar ground of La Rosaleda, with the chance to give fans a fresh win to celebrate into the holidays. The Andalusians are enduring a three-game winless drought, only contributing one point from a possible nine (2-2 against S.D. Eibar, 1-2 against S.D. Amorebieta and 3-0 against Burgos C.F.). Despite a good start seeing them through the first round of the Copa del Rey, they fell short in their second round clash against Rayo Majadahonda (1-0).

Coach José Alberto López will have to navigate a squad down Luis Muñoz and Ramón Enríquez, while Juande, Kevin, Paulino and Jozabed cannot guarantee their participation, having already been missing a week due to fitness problems. Among the Malaguista ranks count two ex Pepineros: Dani Barrio and forward Brandon Thomas.

The match will be officiated by Galician referee, Sr. D. Javier Iglesias Villanueva.