Malaga
Malaga have encouraging news at the back: Ángel Recio, who started four of the last five matches before a viral illness kept him out, has returned to team sessions. Joaquín Muñoz has partially rejoined the group while recovering from a calf problem, while Pablo Martínez remains doubtful with a foot injury.
Recio, Muñoz and Martínez are not expected to start this weekend. Fernando Calero and Einar Galilea should continue together at centre-back, while Rafita is expected to start again at left-back after featuring throughout the last five matches. Up front, Adrián Niño should start after scoring four goals in his last five appearances.
Racing Santander
Racing Santander's left-back spot is contested again this weekend. Jorge Salinas, who started four of the last five matches before a yellow-card suspension, could return for this fixture, but Aarón Martín, who made his first start against Real Madrid, is expected to keep his place for now.
Andrés Martín is out with a tear in his left hamstring. In midfield, Iván Martín has started all five of Racing's last matches and was taken off after the hour mark in four of them, while André Almeida's three starts have all ended early, with substitutions at half-time or shortly after. Sergio Canales, who has started four of the last five games further forward, is expected to support the attack again.
