C.D. Leganés receive Real Zaragoza as they hope to triumph in the Butarque

C.D. Leganés host Real Zaragoza this Friday at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in their 27th fixture of the LaLiga SmartBank season. The pepineros chase consecutive home victories in what is set to be one of the tensest duels of the campaign.

After closing out last weekend with a point from their travels to the Heliodoro Rodríguez López, it's up to Leganés to outperform direct rivals Real Zaragoza in matchday 27. With both teams level on 30 points so far, a win for either side would be of great consequence. The pepineros have taken 4 points in their last two fixtures, which were also characterised by back-to-back clean sheets.

For Nafti's squad, an opportunity to take the next step in their good current form, not least as they are awaited by a mass of blanquiazul fans set to descend on the Butarque in what promises to be one of the biggest nights of the pepinero campaign. That said, the manager will have to contend with the injuries blighting his players, including Bruno, Luis Perea and Iván Villar, with Shibasaki and Bárcenas' involvement to be confirmed at the last minute. Róber Ibáñez will be available to potentially make his first start since his arrival in January.

The masters of the draw desperate for a win 

Real Zaragoza arrive at the Butarque undisputed in their title as the kings of ties in the division. The maños count 15 tied results in their 26 fixtures played so far this season, four of those in their last four encounters. After seven weeks without a win, the zaragocistas' next target is the Butarque, where they have never triumphed in their previous LaLiga SmartBank visits. 

The blanquillo coach, Juan Ignacio Martínez, will have his squad bolstered by winter signings Jaume Grau and Eugeni Valderrama, who have already made their starts in Segunda football. Eugeni scored his first goal on the last matchday against Málaga C.F., but captain Alberto Zapater, currently injured, and Sabin Merino, who is out of contract, will be absent.

The fixture will be officiated by the Castellano-Manchego referee, Sr. D. Dámaso Arcediano Monescillo.