Preview: Mallorca vs. Sevilla - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side rescued a point in a topsy-turvy draw to Elche last weekend, while the visitors have looked much more competitive since the arrival of new coach Jorge Sampaoli, holding high-flying Athletic Bilbao to a 1-1 draw.

Match preview

An excellent summer transfer window, along with the guidance of experienced coach Javier Aguirre, has seen Mallorca go from strength to strength since a tense relegation battle last campaign.

The island side have shored up a once-leaky defence, conceding just nine goals in eight games so far this season after shipping the second-most in the division last campaign, with recent acquisitions Predrag Rajkovic and Jose Copete playing a huge part.

Going forward, the terrifying figure of Vedat Muriqi, flanked by the excellent Kang-in Lee, have caused problems for every defence they have faced, with the Kosovan forward muscling his way to four goals and nine shots on target, alongside the Korean's three assists and 18 key passes.

Last weekend's draw to Elche typified the havoc that Mallorca's bulldozing striker creates, as he missed a penalty, scored a penalty, hit three shots on target, and then got sent off.

That 1-1 draw coming after a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona, in which they actually outscored the Catalan giants in terms of expected goals, Aguirre's men will see the visit of Sevilla as an opportunity to amend for a few missed opportunities since their last win.

Their Andalusian opponents will not be as easily beaten as they might have been a few weeks ago, though, with the arrival of former Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli breathing new life into what seemed a beleaguered Sevilla side under Julen Lopetegui.

Following up a point against Athletic Bilbao with a midweek draw to Borussia Dortmund, a side who had beaten them 4-1 at home just seven days prior, Los Nervionenses looked as controlled as they have done for quite some time in Germany, only denied in the end by an inspired Jude Bellingham.

A towering header from 19-year-old centre-back Tanguy Nianzou gave Sevilla the lead midway through the first half, and the young Frenchman could well have provided the match-winning assist, had Erik Lamela not been smothered by Gregor Kobel from three yards out late on.

Even more encouraging for Sampaoli was the battling performance of Marcao, the Brazilian centre-back brought in from Galatasaray to partner Nianzou. Having finally made his debut for the club last weekend after a hamstring problem, there finally looks to be a centre-back partnership in place after the loss of Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window.

Still stuck in the LaLiga relegation zone after a woeful start, a win in Mallorca could make a huge difference for Sevilla as the confidence comes creeping back.

Mallorca La Liga form:

W

D

L

W

L

D

Sevilla La Liga form:

L

L

W

D

L

D

Sevilla form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

D

D

Team News

Following his red card last weekend, Muriqi will miss this contest as he serves his suspension, in what could be a huge blow for the home side's chances. Angel Rodriguez looks best-placed to take his starting berth.

Zimbabwean striker Tino Kadewere is still recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained in training, while veteran full-back Jaume Costa will also miss out with a muscle injury.

The visitors were sweating over a potential injury to Marcao after that Dortmund game, but post-match comments from the manager, along with social media posts from the player himself, seems to suggest that he should be available for this encounter.

Oliver Torres returned to the side and scored last weekend, but was absent for the midweek Champions League tie, so could miss out again here, while crucial midfielder Fernando is suffering from glandular fever.

A few selection headaches remain for Sampaoli, with the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Joan Jordan, Kasper Dolberg and Isco all vying for starts.

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Cufre, Copete, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo; Baba, Sanchez, Grenier; Lee, Rodriguez

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Bounou; Telles, Marcao, Nianzou, Montiel; Jordan, Rakitic; Gomez, Isco, Januzaj; Dolberg

We say: Mallorca 1-2 Sevilla

With Sevilla slowly rediscovering some form, we are backing them to record just their second win of the season here.

It will not be easy, given Mallorca's strong start to the season, but the absence of Vedat Muriqi could be costly for the home side going forward.

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