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

The hosts are currently 16th in the table, one point ahead of 18th-placed Espanyol, while Mallorca occupy 12th position, six points clear of the relegation zone heading into the next set of fixtures.

Match preview

Real Valladolid finished second in the Segunda Division last season to secure a return to this level of football, so any position higher than 18th would go down as a successful campaign for the club.

A total of 28 points from 27 matches has left them in 16th position, one point ahead of 18th-placed Espanyol, and they have only managed to pick up one point from their last three matches.

Real Valladolid, as mentioned, will enter this match off the back of a huge defeat to Real Madrid, conceding six times at Bernabeu last weekend, which certainly would have damaged their confidence at this stage of the campaign.

Pacheta's side have picked up 20 points from their 13 home league games this season, and their form in front of their own fans is likely to play a major role in whether they stay in the division.

The White and Violets have also won three of their last five La Liga games against Mallorca, but they suffered a 1-0 loss when the two sides locked horns for the reverse match back in January.

Mallorca, meanwhile, finished 16th in La Liga last season on their return to the top flight, and they currently sit 12th in the table, boasting 33 points from their 27 matches.

There is a six-point gap between them and the relegation zone, but they will be under no illusions as to the size of their task when it comes to staying in the league, as a couple of poor results in quick succession could easily see them dragged down the table entering the final straight.

Mallorca will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Osasuna, while they have not actually managed to win in the league since the middle of February at home to Villarreal.

The Pirates have only picked up 11 points from their 13 away league games this season, suffering eight defeats in the process, while they have only managed nine goals on their travels.

Mallorca have another five league games to come before the end of the month, following this fixture with matches against Celta Vigo, Getafe, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

Real Valladolid La Liga form:

L

L

W

D

L

L

Mallorca La Liga form:

W

L

L

D

L

D

Team News

Real Valladolid will be without the services of Lucas Olaza, Darwin Machis and Anuar Tuhami for Sunday's clash, but Javier Sanchez is available again following a suspension.

There will be changes from the side that started the 6-0 loss to Real Madrid last time out, with Alvaro Aguado, Kike Perez, Sanchez, Oscar Plano and Cyle Larin all expected to be introduced.

Head coach Pacheta is also set to revert to four at the back, as the three-man defence struggled at Bernabeu, which is likely to lead to Luis Perez dropping down to the bench.

Mallorca, meanwhile, will be missing three players through suspension, with Giovanni Gonzalez, Copete and Iddrisu Baba unavailable for selection this weekend.

Ludwig Augustinsson and Martin Valjent, meanwhile, remain on the sidelines due to fitness problems.

There will be changes from the side that started against Osasuna last time out, with Tino Kadewere, Matija Nastasic and Antonio Sanchez expected to be brought into the XI.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Asenjo; Fresneda, Sanchez, El Yamiq, Rosa; Aguado, Perez, Monchu; Plano, Marin, Leon

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Maffeo, Nastasic, Raillo, Costa; D Rodriguez, Ruiz de Galarreta, A Sanchez, Kang-in; Muriqi, Kadewere

We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Mallorca

There is not an awful lot between these two teams in terms of quality, so we are expecting a close match on Sunday. Both are in need of all three points to boost their survival battles, but we are finding it difficult to separate them on this occasion.

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