Tenerife kicks off its reign as Group 1 champions with a trip to Unionistas de Salamanca, a side still fighting for a playoff spot and already handed them a defeat earlier this season at the Heliodoro.
After an unusual week filled with celebrations and reduced pressure, the blue-and-whites must refocus for the remaining matches. The first challenge comes against a team that has performed strongly all season—one that ended Tenerife’s unbeaten run back in matchday eight—and now aims to finish among the promotion contenders.
Unionistas currently sits eighth, five points behind Pontevedra, who hold the final playoff berth. Aware of the difficulty, they are determined not to let a Copa del Rey spot slip away either.
Opposite them stands a Tenerife side that secured their objective well ahead of schedule, a reward for an outstanding campaign. Unbeaten in 11 matches, they want to keep winning to match the category’s points record, which would require victories in the last three matchdays.
Mario Simón faces several absences for his lineup. Artola and Jan Encuentra are suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards, while Pere Marco is out for the season. Olmedo, who failed to finish the last match against Real Madrid Castilla, has recovered in time.
Álvaro Cervera also has to reshuffle his side: goalkeeper Dani Martín and De Miguel are injured, and Bam-Bam Landázuri is out due to yellow-card accumulation. Gabri will start in goal, and Antal Yaakobishvili makes his first start. More changes are likely, with Aitor Sanz returning after serving a three-match suspension.
Probable lineups:
Unionistas de Salamanca: Marco; Olmedo, Gorjón, Farru, Mounir; Álvaro Gómez, Masllorens, Juanje, Aarón Piñán; Jota López and De la Nava. Coach: Mario Simón.
CD Tenerife: Gabri; César, Antal, José León, David; Noel, Aitor Sanz, Juanjo, Dani Fernández; Gastón Valles and Enric Gallego. Coach: Álvaro Cervera.
Stadium: Reina Sofía. Time: 17:30 (Canary Islands time). Referee: Pablo Morales (Andalusian committee).
