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

A superb run of form may already be enough to save one of Spain's biggest clubs from relegation this season, but it has not yet been mathematically confirmed.

Match preview

Valencia's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at the weekend was a statement result in the battle against the drop, but it was overshadowed by the fallout which has ensued afterwards, following the racist abuse suffered by Vinicius Junior.

On the pitch though, Ruben Baraja's side hit the 40-point mark by collecting three points at the Mestalla on Sunday.

That tally has been enough for survival in the last 10 La Liga seasons, but with three games to play, Valencia still only have a five-point buffer to the bottom three.

Their recent form suggests they will not have any trouble in picking up a few more results though, as their last six matches have yielded 13 points, with only Real Sociedad amassing more in that time.

Baraja has faced difficulties when facing Mallorca in the past though, failing to win any of his four previous meetings against Valencia's upcoming opponents.

Mallorca enter the midweek set of fixtures ahead of Valencia by one place, but going in the exact opposite direction.

Just four points from a possible 15 leaves Mallorca down in 12th and has killed off any hopes they had of sneaking into the European places.

Their poor 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Almeria was the final nail in the coffin for their dreams of continental qualification, leaving them six points adrift of seventh.

A return to familiar surroundings should be of great benefit though, as Mallorca have lost only one of their last 12 home outings in La Liga.

Making games scrappy here has clearly been to their benefit, as no stadium has witnessed fewer goals in the division this season, with just 30 scored in 17 matches.

Mallorca La Liga form:

W

L

D

L

W

L

Valencia La Liga form:

W

W

L

D

W

W

Team News

Former Valencia midfielder Lee Kang-in has played a crucial role in Mallorca's recent strong home form, scoring four of the side's last six goals at the Son Moix Stadium.

Lee also came back to haunt his former employers by scoring the winning goal late on in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

The South Korean international may be without two of his midfield partners though, as Manu Morlanes and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta both missed the trip to Almeria with injury.

Defenders Jaume Costa and Antonio Raillo are also both doubtful after missing out last week, while Ludwig Augustinsson and Matija Nastasic are not expected to feature.

Valencia will be without both Eray Comert and Yunus Musah after the duo were booked against Real Madrid, triggering suspensions.

Baraja's squad will be boosted by the return of their starting central defenders though, as both Gabriel Paulista and Mouctar Diakhaby have served respective bans.

Their only injury worry concerns Marcos Andre, who has been out for over a month with a knee injury.

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Sanchez, Valjent, Hadzikadunic, Copete, Pablo Maffeo; Ndiaye, Rodriguez, Baba, Lee Kang-in; Muriqi

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Correia, Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Gaya; Nico, Guerra, Andre Almeida; Diego Lopez, Cavani, Kluivert

We say: Mallorca 0-1 Valencia

Both sides will now expect to consolidate mid-table finishes, but with Valencia riding the crest of a wave, they could see themselves as slight favourites.

Previews by email