Overview
Since being appointed to replace Jagoba Arrasate, coach Martin Demichelis has created a clear turning point for Mallorca.
Taking over the team in a context of only 2 points ahead of the safe group, the Argentine strategist quickly helped Mallorca improve with 3 wins, 1 draw and only 1 defeat after the first 5 matches.
After a stable start, Mallorca continued to accelerate with two consecutive victories at home. Notably, the impressive 2-1 comeback against Real Madrid at the beginning of the month.
The boost from that victory helped Vedat Muriqi explode. The Kosovo striker scored a double in the 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, thereby officially surpassing Samuel Eto'o to become the greatest scorer in Mallorca history in La Liga, with 55 goals after 139 appearances.
Muriqi's brilliant form contributed to helping Mallorca rise to 34 points after 31 rounds, temporarily 2 points ahead of the relegation group.
Notably, all 3 victories under Demichelis took place at Son Moix. Mallorca is facing the opportunity to extend this winning streak to 4 consecutive home wins in the same season - something they have not done since February 2023.
In the opposite direction, Valencia is showing an unstable face. The "Batties" have lost 3 of their last 4 matches, including 2 consecutive defeats after the international matches in March.
They once took the lead but still lost 2-3 to Celta Vigo at home, before continuing to lose empty-handed with a minimal 0-1 defeat at Elche's stadium. The match seemed to end in a draw, but Lucas Cepeda's goal in the 73rd minute made Valencia suffer.
That is also the 4th defeat in Valencia's last 6 away matches (2 wins), showing alarming away form.
Pressure is weighing heavily on coach Carlos Corberan, as Valencia faces the risk of relegation for the first time since the 1985-1986 season.
Notably, all 3 away wins of Valencia this season came in clean sheet matches, showing that they are forced to play defensively if they want to hope to get points.
Head-to-head history also does not favor the away team. Valencia has only won 1 point in the last 3 away games at Mallorca since the 1-0 victory in February 2022.
Personnel situation
Mallorca striker Zito Luvumbo will be out of action for about a month after suffering a hamstring injury in the victory against Rayo Vallecano.
In addition, January rookie Mateo Joseph and players Antonio Raillo, Jan Salas and Lucas Bergstrom are likely to continue to appear on the bench.
Good news for the home team is that center-back Martin Valjent will return to the starting lineup after serving a suspension for accumulating enough yellow cards.
On the opposite side, Carlos Corberan still cannot have the services of the defender trio Dimitri Foulquier, Mouctar Diakhaby and Jose Copete, as well as goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala due to injury.
Eray Comert is having problems with his abdomen, while the possibility of Unai Nunez and Hugo Duro playing is still open.
In midfield, Javi Guerra is expected to return to the main squad after only coming on as a substitute in the minimal defeat against Elche.
Expected lineup:
Mallorca: Roman, Maffeo, Valjent, Mascarell, Mojica, Samu, Darder, Morlanes, Torre, Virgili, Muriqi.
Valencia: Dimitrievski, Correia, Tarrega, Pepelu, Gaya, Guerra, Rodriguez, Ugrinic, Rioja, Ramazani, Sadiq.
The match between Mallorca and Valencia takes place at 0:00 a.m. on April 22 (Vietnam time).
