La Liga | Gameweek 28

Mar 15, 2025 at 3.15pm UK

Estadio Iberoamericano 2010

Mallorca vs Espanyol

Match preview

Mallorca are very much in contention for a European spot at this stage of the season, with a record of 10 wins, seven draws and 10 defeats from 27 games giving them 37 points, good enough for seventh place, just four points behind sixth-placed Real Betis.

Los Piratas finished 15th in La Liga last season and have not finished higher than eighth since 2009-10, so the stakes are high this term and they will go into the match on the back of a five-match unbeaten run.

However, only one of those wins came at home to Las Palmas in the middle of last month.

In fact, four of their last five games have ended in a draw, including a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao last time out, and finding the back of the net has been a problem this season, with just 26 goals in 27 games.

Jagoba Arrasate's side have taken 20 points from their 14 home league games this term, and they will welcome an Espanyol side who have just one win to their name in the Spanish top flight this term.

Espanyol's away form has been patchy at best, but they beat Alaves away on 22 February and the Catalans have lost just one of their last eight league games.

Manolo Gonzalez's side are 15th in the La Liga table with 28 points from 26 games, but despite their recent form, they are still very much in the relegation zone, just two points above 18th place.

Espanyol drew 1-1 with Girona last time out and have enjoyed their recent encounters with Mallorca, winning three of their last four top-flight meetings.

The Catalans won 2-1 at Mallorca earlier this season, while the 2022-23 fixture between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw.

Espanyol's form in 2025 has been impressive given their struggles in the first half of the campaign, and they look to be heading in the right direction as the season draws to a close.

Recent Performance

Mallorca La Liga form:LDWDDD

Espanyol La Liga form:DWLDWD

Team News

Mallorca will be without the services of Copete through suspension after the defender picked up a yellow card in the draw with Athletic last time out.

The hosts have no new injury concerns, but it is unlikely that Robert Navarro will have recovered from a hamstring injury in time to be included in the matchday squad.

Mallorca are likely to revert to a four-man defence for this game, and Copete's absence could open the door for Antonio Sanchez to feature in an advanced midfield role this weekend.

Espanyol will be without Jose Gragera and Fernando Pacheco due to hamstring problems, while Pol Lozano is suspended after receiving a yellow card in the draw with Girona.

Edu Exposito is expected to replace Lozano in midfield, but otherwise it could be the same side as last time out, with Roberto Fernandez starting in the final third.

Javi Puado has been impressive for Espanyol this season and will also be in the XI, while in-demand goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has been linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester United, will continue between the sticks.

Possible starting lineup

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Greif; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Asano, S Costa, Mascarell, Darder; A Sanchez; Muriqi

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Carreras, Exposito, Gonzalez; Kral, R Fernandez, Puado