Mallorca vs Espanyol Match Analysis and Prediction

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Mallorca will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce when they play host to Espanyol at Son Moix on Friday to kick off the La Liga action for the weekend.

The hosts recorded an impressive victory at Metalla at the weekend, while the visitors were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side Elche.

It has been a very ecouraging start to the campaign for Mallorca, who are perhaps unfortunate not to be a couple of places higher in the early league stages.

Before the trip to Valencia last weekend, Javier Aguirre’s side had accumulated an expected goals figure of 5.20 across their previous three games, scoring just one goal and picking up one point in a quite luckless run of matches.

However, the return of striker Vedat Muriqi seemed to inspire Mallorca on Saturday, as he scored his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot, to help his side to a first win at Mestalla in over 12 years.

On the other hand, a disappointing campaign continued for the visitors last weekend as they squandered a late lead over La Liga strugglers Elche.

In another akward attacking performance, Espsnyol struggled to take their chances against the league’s leakiest defence, as Joselu missed a golden opportunity to seal the game, just minutes before Gonzalo Verdu’s remarkable equaliser.

That was only the second time that the former Stoke City striker had failed to score at the RCDE Stadium in an Espanyol shirt, as Martin Braithwaite and Javi Puado both bundled in close-range efforts either side of the break.

Having kept just two clean sheets this season, Diego Martinez has some defensive work to do if Espanyol are to steer themselves clear of a relegation battle, as they look for just their second away win of the calander year.

Mallorca vs Espanyol head to head

These two teams have previously met on 39 occasions across all competitions, where Mallorca have claimed 17 victories while Espanyol have won 16, and they have drawn in six. Espanyol have scored 48 goals and conceded 51. In their last five meetings, they have each won twice while drawing once.

Espanyol 0-0 Mallorca 20/09/20

Mallorca 1-2 Espanyol 14/02/21

Mallorca 1-0 Espanyol 27/08/21

Mallorca 2-1 Espanyol 15/01/22

Espanyol 1-0 Mallorca 20/03/22

Mallorca latest home form

Mallorca have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They were beaten 1-0 by Sevilla in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded five.

Mallorca 1-2 Real Betis 20/08/22

Mallorca 1-1 Girona 03/09/22

Mallorca 1-0 Almeria 17/09/22

Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona 01/10/22

Mallorca 0-1 Sevilla 15/10/22

Mallorca latest away form

Mallorca have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Valencia 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded seven.

Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Mallorca 27/08/22

Real Madrid 4-1 Mallorca 11/09/22

Elche 1-1 Mallorca 101/0/22

Real Sociedad 1-0 Mallorca 19/10/22

Valencia 1-2 Mallorca 22/10/22

Espanyol latest home form

Espanyol have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. They played out a 2-2 draw with Elche in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded 10.

Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid 28/08/22

Espanyol 2-3 Sevilla 10/09/22

Espanyol 2-2 Valencia 02/10/22

Espanyol 1-0 Real Valladolid 16/10/22

Espanyol 2-2 Elche 23/10/22

Espanyol latest away form

Espanyol have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their 11 most recent matches. They were beaten 1-0 by Osasuna in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded seven.

Celta Vigo 2-2 Espanyol 13/08/22

Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Espanyol 04/09/22

Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol 18/09/22

Cadiz 2-2 Espanyol09/10/22

Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol 20/10/22

Mallorca news

Mallorca will continue without loan signing Tino Kadewere, who is yet to make an appearance for the club after suffering a quadriceps injury during training.

Midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia is suspended for accumulation of bookings, although Jaume Costa has returned at left-back, to leave Aguirre with a healthy squad to select from.

Espanyol news

Espanyol do any recent injury concerns, and will only without the services of full-backs Ruben Sanchez and Adria Pedrosa once again, with both nearing a return.

Oscar Gil and Vinicus Souza are both one booking away from suspension, but should both start in what could be a similar starting XI which played Elche.

Prediction and Odds

With the visitors in patchy form and come off the back of a disappointing result, we expect the hosts to take all three points for a second successive game.

Espanyol are always a threat with Joselu and Braithwaite on the pitch, but Mallorca will fight hard to breach the opponents defence.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.05 2 2.90