Mallorca will host Valencia in an intriguing La Liga clash on Friday night. Valencia, buoyed by consecutive wins in league and cup action, aim to build momentum, while Mallorca looks to maintain their top-half position in the table after a dramatic win over Las Palmas.
Match Preview
Mallorca enters this fixture on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over Las Palmas, where Johan Mojica’s injury-time winner secured a much-needed three points. Despite earlier struggles, including consecutive losses to Alaves and Atletico Madrid, the Pirates remain eighth in La Liga with 21 points from 14 matches.
Whereas their away form this season has been more convincing, home matches have not gone so well for Mallorca, having garnered just nine points in seven games at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Encouragingly, they are unbeaten against Valencia in La Liga since February 2022, although both encounters last season finished as draws, including a 1-1 at home.
Valencia, on the other hand, are in precarious position, sitting 18th in La Liga. Los Che have had a tough campaign so far with only two wins in 12 league games. However, a 4-2 victory over Real Betis last weekend, where Hugo Duro and Cesar Tarrega were the stars, has given Ruben Baraja’s side hope once again.
Valencia backed up their league victory with a slender 1-0 win over Parla Escuela in the Copa del Rey in midweek and will, therefore, come into the game with increasing confidence. Although they have been poor on their travels this campaign, they will hope to build on recent performances to take points off an injury-hit Mallorca.
Team News
Mallorca
The hosts will be without star striker Vedat Muriqi, who is suspended after seeing red against Las Palmas. Injuries further deplete their squad, with Abdon Prats, Pablo Maffeo, Toni Lato, Ivan Cuellar, and Takuma Asano all unavailable.
Cyle Larin, who missed the last game, may start over the top, with Dani Rodriguez for company up front. The midfield should be unchanged, with Antonio Sanchez and Omar Mascarell set to remain on the bench.
Valencia
Valencia also has problems with injuries, with Maximiliano Caufriez, Ruben Iranzo, Thierry Correia, Rafa Mir, and Mouctar Diakhaby all out.
Head coach Ruben Baraja is likely to remain faithful to the lineup that impressed against Real Betis, so Hugo Duro should maintain his position as the center striker, while Yarek Gasiorowski could retain his spot in the defense following a great performance in Copa del Rey.
Predicted Lineups
Mallorca:
Greif; Morey, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Navarro, Morlanes, S Costa, Darder; D Rodriguez, Larin
Valencia:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Rioja, Barrenechea, Guerra, Lopez; Duro
Match Prediction
Mallorca 1-1 Valencia
Given Mallorca’s solid record against Valencia and the visitors’ struggles on the road, this match is likely to end in a draw. Mallorca’s injury woes and Valencia’s recent resurgence make this an evenly matched encounter. A stalemate seems the most probable outcome, mirroring last season’s results between these two sides.
