Mallorca will aim to keep their hopes of securing European football alive when they welcome Getafe to Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Sunday in their penultimate La Liga game of 2024-25.
The 10th-placed hosts have 47 points but are just one point and two places from the division's Conference League qualification spot, whereas 15th-placed Getafe have 39 points following their 2-0 loss against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday but need just two points to guarantee safety.
Match preview
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Mallorca were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid on Wednesday, scoring their only shot of the first half in the 11th minute, and they should be credited for holding out until the 95th minute when Jacobo Ramon netted Real's winner after Kylian Mbappe had equalised after the hour mark.
Supporters will be concerned by the fact the club have only scored three goals in their last five matches, failing to find the back of the net on three occasions.
Boss Jagoba Arrasate's side are one point from eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano, who they play in their final game of the season on May 24, though he will have to hope that ninth-placed Osasuna drop points given they have 48 points.
Los Piratas have only won one of their last five games – losing three times – and have triumphed in just four of their past 19 in all competitions, suffering 10 defeats.
The hosts' record at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix has been somewhat more positive considering they have achieved victory three times in their six most recent outings at the stadium while losing just once.
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Opponents Getafe created little in the final third against Athletic Bilbao, producing less than 0.5 xG, registering just one shot on target and managing 11 touches inside their penalty area.
Head coach Jose Bordalas's team are five points in front of 18th-placed Leganes, who occupy the third of three relegation spots, and they will secure safety should they win on Sunday or if Leganes fail to beat Las Palmas on the same day.
The visitors were beaten 1-0 by Mallorca when they met in La Liga on December 21, and they are winless against their hosts in four matches, losing three of those games.
Azulones' form has been alarming, with the club on a losing streak spanning six fixtures, a period in which they conceded 11 goals while failing to score in their last five.
Getafe have also been defeated in their past three away outings – scoring no goals in that time – though they did win eight of their prior 10 on the road.
Team News
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Mallorca utilised a back five against Real Madrid, though left wing-back Johan Mojica could come in for Toni Lato, who was forced off as a result of injury last time out.
Antonio Sanchez, Samu Costa and Sergi Darder featured in midfield against Real and they can be expected to do so against the visitors on Sunday.
While forwards Chiquinho and Abdon Prats are injured, strikers Vedat Muriqi and Cyle Larin are ready to play.
As for Getafe, defender Djene is suspended following his red against Rayo Vallecano on May 2, though Juan Berrocal can return to the squad after serving his own suspension.
Daniel Vivian, Yeray Alvarez and Yuir Berchiche could start in a three-man defence behind midfielders Mikel Jauregizar and Mikel Vesga.
In the forward line, Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta supported striker Maroan Sannadi against Athletic Bilbao, and they may be tasked with supplying the number nine once again.
Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Ramon; Valjent, Raillo, Copete; Morey, Sanchez, Costa, Darder, Mojica; Muriqi, Larin
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Simon; Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Gorosabel, Jauregizar, Vesga, Gomez; Berenguer, Guruzeta; Sannadi
We say: Mallorca 2-0 Getafe
Getafe may not need to win to remain in the top flight but their poor form could see them edge closer to the drop.
Mallorca should be looking to take advantage of their struggling visitors, especially as the away side have not found it easy to create chances.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
