UD Las Palmas and Málaga Begin Their Battle for Promotion to La Liga. The first playoff match for promotion to La Liga is taking place in Las Palmas. Coaches of both teams have surprised with their starting lineups. The atmosphere at the stadium is tense, and a full house is expected.
The first play-off match for promotion to La Liga between UD Las Palmas and Málaga has kicked off in Las Palmas. The game is taking place at the Gran Canaria stadium, where excitement has been building for an hour before the start: supporters of both teams are filling the stands, and organizers expect a sell-out crowd. According to CANARIAS7.es, interest in the match is fueled not only by sporting ambitions but also by unexpected line-up decisions from both coaches.
Málaga head coach Funes emphasized the team's energy and attitude, noting that the support from the fans is felt even away from home. Ochoa replaced the usual Joaquín in the starting eleven, joined by Herrero, Puga, Einar, Murillo, Dotor, Izan, Chupe, Larrubia, Dani Lorenzo, and Rafita. Funes stressed that full concentration is vital for victory, especially in the battle for ball control.
UD Las Palmas coach Luis García, for his part, focused on the need to maintain the team's own style and composure throughout the two-legged duel. A surprise addition to the starting lineup was Pejiño, who had not featured from the first minutes since February. García pointed out that the team is in optimal shape for the play-offs, and that he sees no clear favorite in this clash. Estanis remained on the bench, ready to strengthen the team during the match if needed.
Málaga fans are clearly present in the Gran Canaria stands: despite the official quota of 300 tickets, more visitors from Andalusia have arrived in the city thanks to convenient flights and the Sunday schedule. The same quota will apply for UD Las Palmas supporters at the return leg in Málaga, which will take place on Wednesday.
The weather on match day is unstable: clouds are gathering over the stadium, and rain is possible. Nevertheless, the atmosphere around the arena is heating up — fans are greeting the team bus, and the streets near Fondos del Segura are filled with hundreds of supporters. Organizers note that UD Las Palmas has not lost at home this season to anyone except Málaga, who beat them twice in the regular championship.
Officiating has been entrusted to the referee from Valencia, Fuentes Molina. The captains of both teams — Kirian and Álex Suárez — are seen as key figures in today's match. Expectations are high, and the outcome of the first encounter could prove decisive for both sides.
In the parallel playoff fixture, Castellón and Almería finished their first match in a 1-1 draw. Thus, the intrigue remains alive in both contests for the right to advance to La Primera. Alongside sporting events in Spain, news from other fields continues to emerge: recently, the legendary band Saratoga celebrated 34 years on stage and released a new album. More details can be found in the article about Saratoga's anniversary and album release.
The playoffs for promotion to La Primera traditionally attract heightened attention in Spain. In the 2025-26 season, UD Las Palmas collected 73 points, allowing the team to compete for promotion. The return leg between these rivals will be held in Málaga in just a few days. The results of this confrontation will determine who gets the chance to compete in the top tier of Spanish football next season.
