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

Los Che will enter this match off the back of successive league defeats to Real Sociedad and Real Betis, while Mallorca have drawn their last two against Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.

Match preview

Mallorca enjoyed an excellent 2022-23 campaign, finishing ninth in the table, but they have found it difficult to get going in the early stages of this season, only picking up seven points from their eight matches.

Javier Aguirre's side have only actually won once in the league this term, and they currently sit down in 16th position in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.

Mallorca have been the draw specialists in the league so far this season, sharing the points on four occasions, including in their last matches at home to Barcelona and away to Rayo Vallecano.

The Pirates have not had too much trouble finding the back of the net this season, scoring 11 times, but they have conceded 14, which has been the main route of their problems in 2023-24.

Mallorca have won their last two league games against Valencia, doing the double over Los Che last term, including a 1-0 success in the corresponding fixture at Mallorca Son Moix Stadium.

Valencia, meanwhile, boast a record of three wins, one draw and four defeats from their eight league matches this season, collecting 10 points to sit in ninth position in the table.

Los Che recorded a standout 3-0 home win over Atletico Madrid on September 16, but they have only picked up one point from their three matches since, drawing with Almeria before losing at home to Real Sociedad and away to Real Betis in their last two.

Ruben Baraja's side finished 16th in La Liga last season, which represented their worst campaign since being relegated at the end of the 1985-86 campaign.

There is no question that it is a tough period in the club's history, but there are a number of talented youngsters in the squad, which will leave the fans confident of a brighter future.

Javi Guerra is arguably the biggest young talent at the club, with the 20-year-old midfielder scoring three times in the league this season, and it is believed that the likes of Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the Spaniard's performances early in the campaign.

Mallorca La Liga form:

L

D

W

L

D

D

Valencia La Liga form:

L

L

W

D

L

L

Advert - content below:

Team News

Antonio Raillo remains on the sidelines for Mallorca due to an ankle issue, while Pablo Maffeo is also unavailable for selection, having recently suffered a hamstring problem.

Jaume Costa also had to be replaced early on against Rayo last time out, which is likely to lead to Toni Lato being introduced into a defensive area for the home side.

Mallorca have two forwards in strong form, with Vedat Muriqi and Abdon Prats both netting four times in the league this season, and the pair will continue in the final third of the field.

Valencia, meanwhile, will be missing five players through injury, with Jose Gaya, Jesus Vazquez, Dimitri Foulquier, Sergi Canos and Alberto Mari on the sidelines.

Roman Yaremchuk started against Real Betis last time out and could again be given the nod in attack here, but there will be changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle of the game in Seville.

Diego Lopez and Hugo Duro are both expected to be introduced into the side, with Fran Perez and Pablo Gozalbez likely to be the two players to drop down to the bench.

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Valjent, Nastasic, Lato; Sanchez, Samu, Darder, D Rodriguez; Prats, Muriqi

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Mosquera, Diakhaby, Paulista, Ozkacar; Pepelu, Guerra; D Lopez, Almeida, Duro; Yaremchuk

We say: Mallorca 1-1 Valencia

Mallorca have been the draw specialists in La Liga this season, and we can see the points being shared in this weekend's clash. Valencia will be wary of suffering another defeat, which could mean that it is a cagey affair, and we believe that both managers could ultimately settle for a share of the spoils.

Previews by email