The UD Almería Stadium will host the decisive match determining which team earns a spot back in Spanish top-flight football. Following a goalless draw at La Rosaleda, the return leg is critical for both clubs and their coaches, Rubi and Funes.
Málaga CF's coach, Funes, has hinted at the possibility of using a two-striker formation (4-4-2), a tactic he has employed before. "There's a high probability that all our forwards will participate. They will likely be decisive," he stated in a press conference, suggesting players like Chupete, Niño, and Jauregi could feature, alongside Dotor, Ramón, and Haitam. The intention is to field the strongest available starting eleven.
Meanwhile, Rubi, the manager of UD Almería, might stick with the lineup that secured the draw in the first leg. This would likely see Miguel de la Fuente leading the attack, supported by Embarba, Arribas, and Arnau. This setup has been used against Málaga CF previously to bolster the right flank and control the central areas.
The draw in the first leg gives Almería a slight advantage, as they would be promoted with any draw after the full 120 minutes. For Málaga CF to achieve promotion, they must win, regardless of the goal difference, with scores like 1-2, 1-4, or 1-6.
The probable lineups for the match are: Almería: Andrés Fernández; Chirino, Ely, Bonini, Muñoz; Lopy, Dzodic; Arnau, Arribas, Embarba; and Miguel de la Fuente. Málaga: Alfonso Herrero; Puga, Murillo, Montero, Rafita; Larrubia, Izan Merino, Dotor, Joaquín; Dani Lorenzo and Chupete. The match will be officiated by Carlos Muñiz Muñoz from the Aragonese committee.
