NEXT OPPONENT | Linares, where three eggs are two pairs

Next Saturday, September 6th (8:45 pm), a new season, 2025/26, will begin for CD Estepona. The red-and-white team will debut at home, hosting one of the top teams in Group IV of the Segunda RFEF, Linares Deportivo.

The Linares team, managed for the second consecutive season by Pedro Díaz from Talavera, will arrive at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez stadium as one of the favorites for promotion , an objective they fell short of last season. They are a financially powerful club, and to that end, in addition to retaining the talented Isra Cano and the tireless Hugo Díaz , among others, they have significantly strengthened their squad in every position.

In goal, the arrival of Diego Barrios (Atlético Antoniano) stands out; in defense, Carlos Becken (Recreativo) and Manny (San Fernando CD) arrive to provide solidity to the blue team's back line; in midfield, João Paulo (Atlético Antoniano), Fran Lara (CD Illescas) —former red player— and Menudo (CD Atlético Paso) will provide muscle and quality; while for the point of attack, their bet for goals is the Spanish-Scottish Jack Harper (RB Linense).

Among the departures, the most notable are Lithuanian goalkeeper Ernestas (Lorca Deportiva); defenders David Alfonso (UD Melilla), Rubén Del Valle and Samu Gomis , a familiar face to the red-and-white fans; and midfielders Fran Rivera (Orihuela CF), Ismael Gutiérrez (Xerez CD) and Álex Escardó (Juventud Torremolinos).

The Linarejos side faces the start of the league season with great confidence after a preseason that was more positive than negative , both in terms of performance and results. They have achieved a total of five victories , against rivals such as Albacete Balompié (1-0) , CD Egabrense (0-5) , Torreperogil CD (1-3) , Recreativo Granada (2-1) , and Antequera CF (1-0) . Conversely, they have suffered defeats on three occasions : against CF Motril (4-2) , CF Talavera (3-0) , and CS Puertollano (2-0) .

Their last visit to Estepona was on matchday 10 of the 2024/25 season , in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw. Back then, the two sides faced off at the Municipal San Fernando stadium in a match characterized by its evenness and lack of clear-cut chances. Just before the 15-minute mark of the second half, Jorge García (58') put the home side ahead, but a few minutes later, David Alfonso (64') leveled the score, securing a valuable point for the visitors.

This Saturday, CD Estepona and Linares Deportivo will face off again in an opening match that looks set to be very promising. The stage is set for a battle.