Mallorca vs Espanyol Match Preview & Prediction

Mallorca vs Espanyol predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as two struggling sides clash in Palma.

Mallorca vs Espanyol Preview

This has the feel of a really big game at the bottom of La Liga. Both sides have made slow starts and are being strongly tipped for relegation and only Leganes currently sit beneath these two teams. Therefore defeat for either team would be a particularly crushing blow, especially Mallorca who really will see this as a game they need to win.

Mallorca have only collected 1 point in 6 matches since their opening day victory over Eibar. While their performances may have merited more, converting chances has been a problem and there’s a danger that their confidence and belief will completely disintegrate if this run goes on much longer. They are at least creating chances in their home games with Kubo starting to make an impact in midfield but there is a lot of pressure on striker Ante Budimir to finish the chances that come his way with only one other Mallorca player having netted this term.

One advantage for the hosts is that Espanyol have had a long trip to Russia to contend with this week. They were victorious in that game, impressively seeing off CSKA Moscow 2-0 to seriously bolster their Europa League qualification hopes. However their early season form in La Liga strongly suggests they are on course for a relegation battle with just 5 points from 7 games so far.

The visitors did rest a few players in the Russian capital and we could see a bit of rotation here but David Gallego is certainly in no position to rest key men in what is such an important game. Mallorca have so far been pretty consistent with their selection but they may look to Aleix Febas to bring a bit more attacking quality on the right flank for this one.

Mallorca vs Espanyol Predictions

Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw

This is a really tough one to call. Mallorca ought to be looking at this game as one they need to win and they may dictate the tempo of it but Espanyol have been getting better results on their travels than they’ve managed at home. In fact, they are unbeaten on their travels this season with 7 competitive away games already played and that suggests they have enough about them to leave with a point.

Mallorca vs Espanyol H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 3 Mallorca Wins, 3 Espanyol Wins.
• The last games between these clubs came in the 2012/13 La Liga season with both teams winning their home fixture.
• Mallorca have won 4 of their last 5 matches at home to Espanyol.
• The only exception was a 1-0 Espanyol win in Palma in October 2010.

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Predicted Line Ups

Mallorca Team:

Reina – Agbenyenu, Campos, Valjent, Sastre – Baba, Sevilla, Kubo – Junior, Budimir, Febas (4-3-3)

Espanyol Team:

Diego Lopez – Vila, David Lopez, Naldo, Javi Lopez – Melendo, Roca, Darder – Perdosa, Lei, Vargas (4-3-3)

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