European-chasing Valencia will be aiming to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they resume their campaign at home to Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca on Saturday evening.
The home side entered the international break off the back of a 1-0 loss at Villarreal, while Mallorca recorded a 1-0 victory over Granada last time out to ease their relegation concerns.
Match preview
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Having finished down in 16th in La Liga last season, there was a lot of room for improvement for Valencia in 2023-24, and it has been a much more successful campaign to date.
Indeed, Los Che are currently eighth in the table, boasting 40 points from their 28 matches, sitting six points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad with a game in hand, so they are very much in the race for Europe.
Ruben Baraja's side have only managed to win one of their last five league games, though, which was a 1-0 success over Getafe in their last match on home soil on March 9.
Valencia entered the international break off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Villarreal, but their home form this term has been strong, picking up 28 points from 14 matches, suffering only two defeats in the process.
That said, Valencia have not managed to beat Mallorca in Spain's top flight since February 2022, losing two of their last three meetings, including a 2-1 defeat at Mestalla last term.
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Mallorca finished ninth in La Liga last season, and there is no question that there has been a drop-off this term, with the team currently sitting in 14th position, but some recent concerns over relegation have been eased.
Javier Aguirre's side have picked up six points from their last three league games, including three in a 1-0 success over Granada before the international break, and they are now eight points clear of the bottom three, which is a solid cushion at this stage of the campaign.
The Pirates still have work to do in La Liga, but they will be forgiven for having their focus elsewhere at this moment, with the team preparing to take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on April 6.
Mallorca are looking to win the Copa del Rey for just the second time in their history, and it would be a huge moment for the club if they were able to lift major silverware this season.
Aguirre's team have struggled on their travels in La Liga this term, picking up just one win from 14 matches, while they have only scored 11 league goals away from their own stadium in 2023-24.
Team News
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Valencia will be missing two key defenders on Saturday, with Mouctar Diakhaby a long-term absentee due to a serious knee injury, while Jose Gaya is out of the contest due to a muscular complaint.
Jaume Domenech and Sergi Canos are also on the treatment table for Valencia, but the squad will be boosted by the return of Hugo Guillamon, who was suspended against Villarreal last time out.
Canos's absence is likely to lead to Javi Guerra moving into a wide midfield role, allowing Guillamon to return in the middle alongside Pepelu, while Thierry Correia could come into the back four as Gaya's replacement.
As for Mallorca, Samu Costa will be back in the squad after serving a suspension, but two players will face late fitness tests to determine their availability for this clash.
Indeed, Antonio Raillo and Dani Rodriguez are both doubts, with the pair potentially missing out alongside Martin Valjent, who remains on the sidelines due to a thigh problem.
Head coach Aguirre will have one eye on the Copa del Rey final, but he is unlikely to rest key players due to the break which has just occurred, so Vedat Muriqi should lead the line, while Antonio Sanchez and Cyle Larin are also expected to be in the starting XI.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Ozakacar, Correia; Perez, Pepelu, Guillamon, Guerra; Duro, Yaremchuk
Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Maffeo, Gonzalez, Nastasic, Copete, Lato; Sanchez, Mascarell, Costa; Larin, Muriqi
We say: Valencia 2-1 Mallorca
Valencia have not enjoyed their recent meetings with Mallorca, winning just one of their last six encounters, but Los Che have been impressive at Mestalla in the league this season, and we are backing them to secure all three points this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
