Preview: Mallorca vs. Celta Vigo - predictions, team news, lineups

Celta Vigo will be looking to build on their draw against Barcelona and all but make certain of their La Liga status when they travel to Mallorca on Tuesday evening.

The Celts stunned the champions on Saturday and are now eight points clear of opponents Mallorca in the final relegation spot.

Match preview

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A 1-0 loss to Villarreal in their first game back aside, Celta have enjoyed a positive run of form since returning to action after the three-month hiatus.

Either side of draws with Real Valladolid and Barcelona, Oscar Garcia 's side thrashed Alaves 6-0 and beat Real Sociedad 1-0.

The emphatic win over Alaves is the standout result from that list, though holding Barca - thanks to Iago Aspas ' 88th minute equaliser - is the one that sent shockwaves through the division.

Celta have spent a total of 12 matchdays in the bottom three, but eight points from the last 12 on offer has lifted them into 16th, eight points above Mallorca.

A point this weekend - therefore denying their opponents three vital points - would see the Celts take a giant leap towards top-flight survival.

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Unlike Celta, Mallorca have not been able to use the coronavirus-enforced break to their advantage, losing four and drawing one since the restart.

Going further back, it is just two wins in 13 matches in all competitions for Los Bermellones, those victories coming against Alaves and Eibar.

With just five games to go after this visit of Celta, including trips to Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, it is now or never for Vicente Moreno 's side if they are to dodge the drop.

Mallorca have the worst away record in the Spanish top flight, but they have fared slightly better at home, taking 21 points from 16 matches.

That is in comparison to 13 points from 16 away matches for Celta, although this clash at Son Moix will of course be played behind closed doors.

The good news for Mallorca is that they are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Celta, a run that includes a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture six months ago.

Mallorca's La Liga form: WLLDLL

Celta Vigo's La Liga form: DLDWWD

Team News

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Marc Pedraza missed the defeat to Bilbao through injury but is pushing for inclusion here, likely in place of Iddrisu Baba should he win his fitness battle.

Fabricio Agosto, Leonardo Koutris and Ki Sung-yeung are the visitors' other absentees, with all three in a race against time to play again this season.

Celta welcomed Okay Yokuslu back from suspension against Barcelona and he looks certain to retain his place in central midfield alongside Denis Suarez.

Sergio Alvarez, David Junca and Fran Beltran are all struggling with various injury issues, however, while Hugo Mallo is not expected to be risked.

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Reina; Valjent, Raillo, Sedlar; Pozo, Sevilla, Pedraza, Rodriguez, Junior; Hernandez, Kubo

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Blanco; Aidoo, Araujo, Saenz; Vazquez, Mendez, Yokuslu, Suarez, Gonzalez; Smolov, Aspas

We say: Mallorca 0-2 Celta Vigo

Mallorca are in desperate need of a victory, but they have lost four of their five matches since returning to action and have failed to score in three of those. Boosted by their draw with Barcelona last time out, we are expecting the visitors to pick up a victory that will move them further clear of the drop.