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Mallorca will look to extend their impressive run of form to four consecutive victories in Spain’s La Liga when they face Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, and while Mallorca are soaring near the top of the table, Espanyol find themselves struggling to avoid the relegation zone. The visitors, sitting sixth in the standings with 14 points from eight matches, will arrive in Catalonia full of confidence. In contrast, Espanyol are precariously placed in 17th, with just seven points from the same number of games.

Match Preview

Espanyol’s 2024-25 season hasn’t gone as they had hoped, and Saturday’s match is crucial for the Catalan side, who are eager to halt a dismal three-game losing streak. Under the guidance of head coach Manolo Gonzalez, Espanyol’s poor run of form has seen them tumble down the La Liga standings, landing just above the relegation zone. After a promising spell that saw them claim back-to-back victories over Rayo Vallecano and Alaves, either side of the September international break, their momentum stalled. Espanyol have since suffered three consecutive defeats at the hands of Real Madrid, Villarreal, and Real Betis.

Despite their current struggles, Espanyol’s journey back to La Liga is a commendable one, as they secured promotion via the Segunda Division playoffs last season. However, the primary focus this season is consolidation—ensuring they maintain their status in Spain’s top flight. Though they’ve shown glimpses of promise, the statistics are worrying. With only seven goals scored in eight matches, Espanyol’s attacking output has been underwhelming, raising concerns about whether they can generate enough firepower to survive the relegation battle.

Espanyol’s home form against Mallorca might provide a glimmer of hope for Gonzalez’s men. The White and Blues have not lost to Mallorca in their last three La Liga meetings, including a 2-1 victory when the sides last met at the RCDE Stadium during the 2022-23 campaign. This historical edge could provide a psychological boost for Espanyol as they seek to get back on track.

On the other side, Mallorca have been one of the standout teams in La Liga this season. The Pirates, under head coach Jagoba Arrasate, have made an impressive start, accumulating 14 points from their opening eight matches to secure a lofty sixth position. This solid start is even more remarkable considering they managed only two points from their first three matches. However, since then, Mallorca have been on a roll, winning four of their last five games, including notable victories over Real Sociedad, Real Betis, and Real Valladolid.

Mallorca’s Defensive Strength

One of the key factors behind Mallorca’s excellent form has been their strong defensive record. They have conceded just five goals so far, with only Atletico Madrid (four) boasting a tighter defense. This defensive solidity has provided the foundation for their success, making them a tough team to break down. Goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic has been in fine form, and the defensive unit as a whole has operated with a level of cohesion that has frustrated their opponents.

Despite their defensive strength, Mallorca’s attacking record hasn’t been as impressive. They’ve managed to score only eight goals in their first eight matches, placing them among the lowest-scoring teams in the league. This highlights a potential area of improvement for Arrasate’s side, who will need to find a way to increase their attacking threat if they are to maintain their position near the top of the table and potentially push for European qualification.

Mallorca’s journey this season contrasts sharply with their previous campaigns. Last season, they finished 15th in La Liga, narrowly avoiding relegation, while the 2022-23 season saw them achieve a respectable ninth-place finish. Their current position suggests they have the potential to finish in the top half this season, and possibly even challenge for a spot in European competition. However, consistency will be key, and matches like the one against Espanyol will test their ability to sustain their early-season form.

Espanyol’s Tactical Approach

Espanyol have relied on a more pragmatic approach under Gonzalez, with their emphasis on defensive organization. However, this has come at the expense of attacking fluency, and their goal-scoring woes have become increasingly apparent. The loss of influential attacking players in recent seasons, coupled with injuries to key forwards, has left Gonzalez with limited options upfront. Espanyol’s inability to create and convert chances has been their undoing in many matches this season.

In their previous three defeats, Espanyol have struggled to assert themselves in midfield, often ceding possession and allowing their opponents to dominate the game. Against Real Madrid and Villarreal, they were largely pinned back in their own half, unable to break out of their defensive shape to launch meaningful attacks. Even against Real Betis, a match that many expected to be more competitive, Espanyol were second best for much of the game and ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat.

One area where Espanyol have shown some promise is in set-piece situations. The Catalan side has managed to score a few crucial goals from dead-ball situations, and this could be a key weapon against Mallorca, who, despite their strong defensive record, have shown occasional vulnerability in defending set-pieces.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record between these two sides suggests that Espanyol might have the upper hand, particularly at the RCDE Stadium. As mentioned, Espanyol are unbeaten in their last three La Liga encounters with Mallorca. Their last meeting in 2022-23 ended in a 2-1 victory for the Catalan side, a result that will give them confidence heading into Saturday’s fixture. However, it’s worth noting that Mallorca have evolved significantly since that encounter, and their current form makes them a much more formidable opponent.

Historically, Mallorca have struggled away to Espanyol, with their last victory in this fixture coming in March 2011. The Pirates will be hoping to break this long-standing hoodoo and continue their upward trajectory in the league.

Key Players

For Espanyol, much will depend on the performances of key players such as striker Javi Puado and midfielder Sergi Darder. Puado, who was instrumental in Espanyol’s promotion campaign, has struggled to replicate his form in La Liga this season but remains a key figure in their attack. Darder, on the other hand, has been Espanyol’s standout performer in midfield, providing creativity and composure in possession. His ability to control the tempo of the game and pick out key passes will be crucial if Espanyol are to create opportunities against Mallorca’s well-organized defense.

In defense, Cesar Montes has been one of Espanyol’s most reliable performers. The Mexican international has played a key role in organizing the backline and will need to be at his best to contain Mallorca’s counter-attacking threat.

For Mallorca, the attacking duo of Vedat Muriqi and Dani Rodríguez has been instrumental in their recent success. Muriqi, a powerful presence in the box, has been their main goal threat, while Rodríguez has been pivotal in linking midfield to attack. Their partnership will be key to unlocking Espanyol’s defense, particularly on the counter-attack.

In midfield, Iddrisu Baba has been a standout player for Mallorca, providing energy and ball-winning ability in the center of the park. His work rate and defensive contributions have been vital in helping Mallorca maintain their solid defensive record.

Tactical Battle

The tactical battle between these two sides is likely to be intriguing. Espanyol will aim to stay compact and organized defensively, looking to frustrate Mallorca and hit them on the break. Set-pieces could also be a key area where Espanyol will try to exploit their height advantage.

Mallorca, meanwhile, will likely adopt a more cautious approach, focusing on defensive solidity and looking to capitalize on Espanyol’s mistakes. Arrasate’s side has thrived on the counter-attack this season, and they will aim to use the pace of their wingers and the physical presence of Muriqi to cause problems for Espanyol’s backline.

Prediction

While Espanyol’s recent form is a concern, their record against Mallorca at home could give them a fighting chance. However, Mallorca’s strong defensive organization and current momentum make them the favorites to come away with a win. A low-scoring game is likely, with Mallorca’s ability to grind out results giving them the edge in this encounter. If Espanyol can rediscover their attacking spark and make the most of set-pieces, they might be able to snatch a point, but a Mallorca victory seems the more probable outcome.