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La Liga Preview: Valencia - Mallorca

The ever impressive Los Che take on a poor away side in Mallorca this Saturday...

Nov 27, 2009 12:00:00 PM

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Ruben Baraja, Valencia (MARCA)

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Kick-Off: Saturday, November 27. 20:00 CET
Mestalla, Valencia

Gaining Momentum

Losing only once in all competitions so far this year, Valencia are proving yet again that they are a force to be reckoned with. Boasting such talents in attack such as David Silva, David Villa and Spain's new international starlet Juan Mata, Los Che are striking fear into the hearts of any opponent thrown their way.

Sitting fourth in La Liga, only one point behind an equally impressive Sevilla side, Unai Emery is determined to prove once again that the Spanish top-flight is not just a two horse race. Hitting their stride after a few unwanted draws, Valencia will be keen to show Mallorca that the Mestalla is not the place they'll find some much needed away points.

Agoraphobia

Mallorca are one of the very few teams in La Liga this season that can boast a perfect home record. Gaining positive results six times out of six, Gregorio Manzano's men are quickly giving the ONO a reputation as one of the most impenetrable football fortresses of this campaign.

However, when taken out of their comfort zone, the Barralets have suffered badly at the feet of their hosts. Yet to win a single game when on the road, Mallorca can only really take heart from a decent performance in their 4-2 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou, but in facing an opponent equally as daunting this week, the Balearic Islanders will probably have to wait a while longer before they find respite on the road.

FORM GUIDE

Valencia

Nov 22 Osasuna 1-3 Valencia (La Liga)

Nov 10 Valencia 2-2 CD Alcoyano (Copa del Rey)

Nov 08 Valencia 3-1 Real Zaragoza (La Liga)

Nov 05 Slavia Prague 2-2 Valencia (Europa League)

Nov 01 Malaga 0-1 Valencia (La Liga)

Mallorca

Nov 22 Mallorca 3-1 Almeria (La Liga)

Nov 11 Mallorca 1-0 Real Valladolid (Copa del Rey)

Nov 07 Barcelona 4-2 Mallorca (La Liga)

Nov 01 Mallorca 1-0 Racing Santander (La Liga)

Oct 29 Real Valladolid 2-1 Mallorca (Copa del Rey)

TEAM NEWS

Valencia

With Joaquin, Carlos Marchena and Ruben Baraja all fit, and David Silva and David Villa both raring to go, the only real concerns for Unai Emery injury-wise are Nacho Gonzalez and Tottenham Hotspur target Vicente.

Probable Starting XI: Sanchez - Mathieu, Marchena, Navarro, Saltor - Silva, Baraja, Albelda, Joaquin - Mata, Villa

Mallorca

Training knocks aside, Gregorio Manzano's well oiled machine should be firing on all cylinders as he looks to produce a positive result at the Mestalla.

Probable Starting XI: Aouate - Ayoze, Nunes, Ramis, Felipe Mattioni - Castro, Mario Suarez, Julio Alvarez, Borja Valero - Aduriz, Webo

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Valencia

With Mallorca on the prowl away from home, central midfielders Ruben Baraja and David Albelda will be looked at to dominate the middle of the pitch in order to keep their visitors from gaining any real momentum in their quest for goals.

Mallorca

Scoring his first goal of the season against Almeria last weekend, Gonzalo 'Chori' Castro stated his intent with a brace. Getting himself off the mark in style, Manzano may look at the Uruguayan to produce a little piece of magic should his strikers fail to carry out their job on the road once again.

PREDICTION

Valencia are probably not the right team to start with if you're aiming to improve your consistency away from home. With that in mind, Los Che will probably run away with this one, forcing Gregorio Manzano back to the drawing board before his side head on the road again.

Valencia 3-1 Mallorca

Stephen Crawford, Goal.com

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