Preview: Mallorca vs. Real Valladolid - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently 11th in the La Liga table, boasting 19 points from their opening 15 games of the season, while Real Valladolid are 15th, collecting 17 points from their 15 matches in 2022-23.

Match preview

Mallorca finished 16th on their return to Spain's top flight last season, and they are playing in back-to-back campaigns at this level for the first time since 2013.

The Pirates have made a solid start to the 2022-23 campaign, picking up 19 points from their 15 matches, which has left them in 11th position in the table, level on points with 10th-placed Valencia.

Javier Aguirre's side were in strong form ahead of the break for the 2022 World Cup, picking up 10 points from their four matches against Valencia, Espanyol, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.

Mallorca suffered a 2-0 defeat to Getafe in the league on December 30, but they were victorious in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, progressing to the round of 16 courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Pontevedra.

Los Bermellones have actually lost their last two league matches against Real Valladolid, including a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding game last term, while they have beaten Saturday's opponents on just one occasion in Spain's top flight since February 2010.

Real Valladolid, meanwhile, were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, suffering a 1-0 loss to Alaves, with Mamadou Sylla netting the only goal of the contest in the 11th minute.

Pacheta's side were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid in La Liga last time out, meanwhile, with the result leaving them in 15th position in the table on 17 points, five points ahead of 18th-placed Sevilla.

The White and Violets have now lost three of their last four in the league, including their last two without scoring, which has increased the pressure on the team heading into this contest.

Real Valladolid finished second in the Segunda Division last season to secure a return to the top flight, and they will be bidding to consolidate at this level over the next few years.

These are the type of matches that are likely to determine what type of season the team will have, but they have struggled on their travels this term, only picking up four points from seven away league fixtures.

Mallorca La Liga form:

L

W

D

W

W

L

Mallorca form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

W

Real Valladolid La Liga form:

W

W

L

W

L

L

Real Valladolid form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

L

L

Team News

Mallorca will be boosted by the return of Martin Valjent from suspension, while Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is also available after a league ban, and the pair should start on Saturday night.

Josep Gaya was back on the bench for the Copa del Rey contest with Pontevedra following an injury, so head coach Aguirre could have a full squad for this contest.

There will be wholesale changes from the side that started in the cup, with Lee Kang-in, Dani Rodriguez, Pablo Maffeo, Jaume Costa and Vedat Muriqi set to return to the XI here.

As for Real Valladolid, Sergio Leon is suspended following his red card against Real Madrid in the league last time out, while Javi Sanchez is also banned due to his yellow card in the same fixture.

Jawad El Yamiq is also missing due to a hamstring problem, while Juan Narvaez picked up an injury during the Copa del Rey clash with Alaves on Wednesday.

Head coach Pacheta will make a number of changes to the side that featured in the cup, although there is some uncertainty surrounding Ivan Fresneda's spot, as the defender is currently being strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United.

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Copete, Costa; D Rodriguez, Battaglia, Ruiz de Galarreta, Kang-in; Muriqi

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Fresneda, Fernandez, Perez, Escudero; Mesa, Monchu, Aguado; Plata, Weissman, Plano

We say: Mallorca 1-1 Real Valladolid

Valladolid have won three of the last four meetings between these two sides in La Liga, but it is difficult to back the visitors to triumph here considering their away record this term. Mallorca have only won twice at home in the league this season, though, so we have had to settle on a low-scoring draw here.

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