La Liga | Gameweek 15

Nov 29, 2024 at 8pm UK

Estadio Iberoamericano 2010

Mallorca vs Valencia

Match preview

It looked like Mallorca would have to settle for a share of the points against Las Palmas last weekend. The home side fought back to level the scores at 2-2 late on after Dani Rodriguez and Robert Navarro had registered for Jagoba Arrasate's side.

However, Johan Mojica had other ideas, with the 32-year-old scoring the winning goal for Mallorca in the 91st minute. It was an important result for the Pirates, who had lost their previous two games against Alaves and Atletico Madrid.

Arrasate's team are currently eighth in the La Liga table, with a record of six wins, three draws and five defeats from their 14 matches. This has earned them 21 points, putting them just four points behind fourth-placed Villarreal.

Mallorca haven't lost to Valencia in the Spanish top flight since February 2022, but both league games last season ended in a draw, including a 1-1 result at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.

The Pirates have actually been stronger on their travels than at home this season, picking up just nine points from their seven matches in front of their own fans. Valencia, on the other hand, have been the worst performers on the road in La Liga this term.

Valencia are currently 18th in the La Liga table, with a record of two wins, four draws and six defeats from their 12 matches so far, which has earned them 10 points. However, they do have two games in hand over the majority of the division.

It's fair to say that it's been a challenging season for Ruben Baraja's side so far. However, they secured a crucial three points last weekend, beating Real Betis 4-2 at Mestalla.

Hugo Duro scored twice, while Cesar Tarrega and Diego Lopez also got on the scoresheet as Valencia got back to winning ways in their first league game since the end of October, having seen two games postponed due to the flooding in Spain.

Valencia were in Copa del Rey action on Tuesday night against Parla Escuela. They booked their spot in the second round of the competition thanks to a 1-0 win, with Pepelu scoring the only goal of the game.

Los Che finished ninth in La Liga last season, and they'll probably think they can push for a top-half position this term despite their early struggles. Their success over Real Betis last weekend could be a good start.

Recent Performance

Mallorca La Liga form:LWDLLW

Valencia La Liga form:DLDLDW

Valencia form (all competitions):LDLDWD

Team News

Vedat Muriqi will be suspended for Friday's game, having been sent off in the last match against Las Palmas. Abdon Prats, Pablo Maffeo, Toni Lato, Ivan Cuellar and Takuma Asano are all injured.

Cyle Larin didn't play against Las Palmas, but head coach Arrasate is hoping to have the Canadian international back in time for this match. Dani Rodriguez is also set to play in the final third of the field.

Antonio Sánchez and Omar Mascarell are among the options for a change, but it's likely they'll stay on the bench.

Valencia will be without Maximiliano Caufriez, Ruben Iranzo, Thierry Correia, Rafa Mir and Mouctar Diakhaby for the match.

It looks like Baraja will stick with the same side that played against Real Betis in the league last weekend, with Duro set to continue through the middle.

There were a lot of changes to the side for the Copa del Rey clash with Parla Escuela, but it'll probably look more familiar here, with Yarek Gasiorowski potentially the only player keeping his spot.

Possible starting lineup

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Greif; Morey, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Navarro, Morlanes, S Costa, Darder; D Rodriguez, Larin

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Rioja, Barrenechea, Guerra, Lopez; Duro