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Real Valladolid have endured a really difficult start to this season with one win in their opening seven matches as they now take on a Real Mallorca side that wanted to progress and they are appearing to do so.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 27th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Valladolid vs Mallorca may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL VALLADOLID PREVIEW: STRUGGLING VALLADOLID
Real Valladolid, with Ronaldo as their owner and chairman, managed to keep hold of Uruguayan coach Paolo Pezzolano and that seemed like a brilliant and important piece of business – especially when they began their campaign with a victory on the opening day of the 2024/25 season.
However, Valladolid have now endured a six-match winless run of form that has seen them drop into the bottom three and the relegation places ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures. They suffered a late defeat to Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in their most recent outing during the week.
MALLORCA PREVIEW: BALEARIC BRILLIANCE
After reaching the Copa del Rey final last season but still playing a robust style of football, Javier Aguirre departed to become the Mexican national team coach and he was replaced by the impressive Osasuna manager Jago Arrasate.
The Balearic Islanders started their season with a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid at San Moix on the opening day of the campaign and they are looking like a team that could flirt with UEFA competition qualification this season. Mallorca come into this one on the back of back-to-back victories after edging past Real Sociedad before defeating Real Betis by two goals to one at the Benito Villamarin.
REAL VALLADOLID TEAM NEWS: NO FRESH CONCERNS
Ahead of this season, Anuar was deemed a doubt due to a hernia operation over the summer and he is still not definitely available for the hosts but could play.
Aside from Anuar, Valladolid do have a generally fully fit and available squad so will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend’s clash with Mallorca.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Hein; Lucas Perez, Cumart, David Torres, Rosa; Mario Martin, Juric, Kike Perez; Darwin Machis, Marcos Andre, Ndiaye
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Anuar (Injured)
MALLORCA TEAM NEWS: ATTACKING ABSENTEES
There are a couple of attacking injuries that Mallorca have to deal with ahead of their trip to the Jose Zorrilla as Vedat Muriqi has joined Takuma Asano on the injury list.
Belgian defender Siebe Van Der Heyden has been unavailable with a muscle injury alongside Javi Llabres but both players are nearing their return this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Greif; Antonio Sanchez, Valjent, Antonio Raillo, Johan Mojica; Omar Mascarell, Samu Costa; Ruben Navarro, Dani Rodriguez, Sergi Darder; Larin
UNAVAILABLE: Asano (Injured), Muriqi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Van Der Heyden (Injured), Javi Llabres (Injured)
REAL VALLADOLID VS MALLORCA PREDICTION
Real Valladolid got themselves up with an intention to play a more progressive and proactive style of football but they have simply not been able to do so. The home team will now be concerned that an in-form Mallorca side have the balance between being difficult to play against and now an evolving style that can make them tough for anyone to face. Siding with the visitors to continue with their form looks a good bet.
REAL VALLADOLID VS MALLORCA TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – MALLORCA TO WIN OR DRAW