Mallorca vs Girona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This one is a huge game down at the bottom end of La Liga in the relegation battle as Real Mallorca welcome fellow strugglers Girona to the Balearic Islands.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Mallorca preview: Improved before the break
After a tumultuous start to the campaign in which it appeared inevitable that Jago Arrasate would be sacked by Real Mallorca, the Balearic Islanders did manage to find a bit of form before the mid-season break.
They have suffered just one defeat in their last six matches in La Liga as they headed into the two-week stoppage on the back of a 1-1 draw against Valencia at Mestalla in a game in which they were the better of the two sides.
Girona preview: Improved but still ineffective
Much like Jago Arrasate, it appeared inevitable that Michel would depart Girona, especially due to his criticism of both of his players and the running of the club, but performances have definitely improved as the season has gone on.
The Catalans begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom three and the relegation places after suffering a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Atletico Madrid at Montilivi a couple of weeks ago.
Mallorca team news: Omar Mascarell could return
Equatorial Guinea have been knocked out of AFCON in the group stages and so key defensive midfielder Omar Mascarell could return to action for the Majorcans.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leo Roman; Pablo Maffeo, Valjent, Antonio Raillo, Johan Mojica; Omar Mascarell, Costa; Mateo Joseph, Sergi Darder, Jan Virgili; Muriqi
Unavailable:
Questionable: Kumbulla (Injured), Omar Mascarell (International duty)
Girona team news: No Ounahi
Azzedine Ounahi has been a key man for Girona this season but the former Olympique de Marseille midfielder is on international duty with Morocco at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; Alejandro Frances, Reis, Blind, Alex Moreno; Tsygankov, Arnau Martinez, Witsel, Ivan Martin, Joel Roca; Vanat
Unavailable: Juan Carlos (Injured), Ricard Artero (Injured), Ounahi (International duty), Van de Beek (Injured), Portu (Injured)
Questionable: David Lopez (Injured), Cristhian Stuani (Injured), Abel Ruiz (Injured)
Mallorca vs Girona prediction
Real Mallorca have a low-scoring tendency with too much emphasis for goals on Kosovo international striker Vedat Muriqi, who is the archetypal target man striker in a team coached by a seemingly progressive coach in Jago Arrasate. Girona head to Palma de Mallorca trying to build on the improved fluency that they have found and, with both teams sensing a massive opportunity to both win and inflict defeat on a team that could be in the battle until the end of the season, both teams scoring may well be a good bet for this one at Son Moix.
Mallorca vs Girona tip: Both teams to score
