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

Seeking to end their run of five La Liga matches without a win, Valencia welcome Mallorca to the Mestalla on Saturday lunchtime.

21 Oct 2021, 14:47 · Sports Mole

The visitors, meanwhile, have also been struggling in recent weeks and have lost each of their last three away games in the top flight by an aggregate score of 9-2.

Match preview

It is fair to say that Valencia have had an inconsistent start to the new campaign, after winning, drawing and losing three games each from their opening nine fixtures.

Many Bats fans would have hoped their side could take advantage of Barcelona's current woes last weekend, especially when Jose Gaya put them in front in the fifth minute. However, the Catalan club came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou, thanks to strikes from Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho.

After accumulating 10 points from a possible 12 in their first four matches of the season, Jose Bordalas's men have since claimed just two out of 15, which has seen them slip down to 10th in the table and five points behind the top four, though Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Madrid – who all have 17 points – have a game in hand.

Valencia head into Saturday's game with a solid record against Mallorca, as they have lost only two of their last seven meetings, winning each of their last two home games in the process.

A victory for the Bats at the Mestalla could push them into the top seven, a position where they are aiming to finish this campaign having failed to qualify for Europe in each of the last two seasons.

Mallorca were unable to build on their 1-0 victory against Levante before the international break, as they were narrowly beaten by the same scoreline away against league leaders Real Sociedad last weekend.

The hosts played the entire second half with 10 men, after Aihen Munoz was shown a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time, but they were able to break the deadlock in the 90th minute when Julen Lobete drove home the winning goal from just inside the penalty area.

That result has seen Luis Garcia's side drop down to 13th in the table, though there is still a six-point gap separating them from the relegation zone.

Mallorca head into Saturday's game after failing to win each of their last three visits to the Mestalla. However, they did claim an impressive 4-1 victory on home soil against Valencia in their last meeting in January.

If the Pirates are to claim any points from this weekend's clash then they will need to shore up their backline, as they have already conceded nine goals in their first three away games this term, more than any other side in the division.

Valencia La Liga form:

Mallorca La Liga form:

Team News

Valencia full-back Cristiano Piccini remains out injured, however Omar Alderete is available to feature after serving a one-match suspension last weekend.

Bordalas may decide to stick with a similar side that played against Barcelona, with Hugo Guillamon, Daniel Wass and Carlos Soler set to keep their roles in midfield.

However, there could be rotation on the flanks with Denis Cheryshev and Helder Costa hoping they can force their way into the first XI ahead of Hugo Duro and Goncalo Guedes.

As for Mallorca, Antonio Raillo (ankle), Aleksander Sedlar (muscle) and Takefusa Kubo (knee) all remain out with injuries, with the latter set to be on the sidelines until December.

Garcia could also name a similar starting lineup to the one he selected last weekend, so the likes of Dani Rodriguez, Lee Kang-in and Amath may keep their places in advanced midfield roles, behind central striker Angel.

A back four of Pablo Maffeo, Martin Valjent, Franco Russo and Brian Olivan is set to start once again, shielding goalkeeper Manolo Reina.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Foulquier, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya; Wass, Guillamon, Soler; Cheryshev, Gomez, Guedes

Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Reina; Maffeo, Valjent, Russo, Olivan; Galarreta, Baba; Kang-in, Rodriguez, Amath; Angel

We say: Valencia 2-0 Mallorca

Both sides faced difficult fixtures last weekend, but can head into Saturday's game with more confidence of claiming a victory.

Luis Garcia has not won any of his previous five meetings with Jose Bordalas, and we expect this run to continue as Valencia will likely have too much quality for Mallorca at the Mestalla.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data

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