La Liga Preview: Sporting Gijon & Mallorca Continue Scrap For Top Six

Xerez vs Sporting Gijon

Kick-off: Sunday November 22, 17:00 CET – Estadio Municipal del Chapin

A clash between past and present strugglers. Tiny Xerez have done well to stay off the basement of the standings but they have had to labour and struggle just to score a goal or pick up a point. They have only found the back of the net three times in ten league games but they are currently on a 270-minute goal drought as they linger second from bottom.

But they can at least take comfort in knowing that Sporting Gijon were in a similar position around this time last season. The Asturians lost their opening five games on the trot and took a beating after another but a determined fightback in the latter stages of the campaign saw them survive the drop. Now, a year later, they are riding high in La Liga, coasting away in seventh place in the standings and they have only been defeated twice so far.

They are on a five match unbeaten streak at present and if they can maintain this form heading into the Christmas break, they could offer a serious challenge for a place in the Europa League in the second half of the term.

Prediction: Xerez 1-1 Sporting Gijon  

Real Mallorca vs Almeria

Kick-off: Sunday November 22, 17:00 CET – ONO Estadi

Mallorca will be glad to return home after going down 4-2 at Barcelona in the last matchday. But there really was no shame in the defeat for the Balearic Islanders, as they more than held their own against their illustrious rivals for large parts of the first half before two quick goals just before the break crushed their spirits.

On home soil, however, Gregorio Manzano’s men have been in imperious form with a perfect record of five wins from five, six including the Copa del Rey victory over Real Valladolid. They will be angling to extend their flawless run to remain well inside the top six.

Almeria have only won twice in their last seven league outings but they are surprisingly sitting comfortable in mid-table. Although Mallorca are not particularly one of the big guns in Spain with a heavy attacking artillery, Hugo Sanchez’s side will likely employ another ultra-defensive approach to grind out a result.

Prediction: Real Mallorca 3-0 Almeria

Malaga vs Real Zaragoza

Kick-off: Sunday November 22, 17:00 CET – La Rosaleda

The pressure is building on Malaga to put an end to their nine game winless streak in La Liga. They will be feeling confident going up against Zaragoza, a side that they ousted in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey, albeit only just on the away-goal rule after settling for a draw in both legs.

With just five points from their opening ten games, the Andalucians are fortunate enough that none of their fellow relegation battlers are pulling away from them, with Racing Santander currently occupying 17th spot but only two points in front.

The Aragons, meanwhile, have yet to win away from home this term, although they have had to travel to the likes of Sevilla, Barcelona and more recently Valencia. They were unable to break down Malaga just under a fortnight ago in the away leg of the Copa, as a scoreless tie allowed their opponents to sneak into the last 16.

Prediction: Malaga 2-1 Real Zaragoza   

KS Leong, Goal.com