Preview: Mallorca - Osasuna

Posted Monday, April 19, 2010 by Goal.com

Concluding this weekend’s Primera Division action, los Barralets will aim to strengthen their Champions League hopes against los Rojillos...

Kick Off: Monday, April 19, 2010. 21:00 CET
ONO Estadi, Mallorca

Four Star

The remarkable season that Mallorca are enjoying continues, with the Balearic Islanders stealing back the all important fourth place from Sevilla in midweek by virtue of the point they won away to Zaragoza. This Monday evening, los Rojillos are back in action as they attempt to maintain their standing against an awkward Osasuna side.

Ruben had the Islanders ahead early against los Manos in midweek, but a goal from Humberto Suazo quickly levelled matters. Gregorio Manzano thought his side had snatched all three points when Aritz Aduriz had the ball in the net, though his effort was disallowed.

“We felt that it was valid. That would have strengthened us in fourth place, but it was not to be,” Manzano complained to the press after Wednesday’s draw. “It was a very evenly balanced game, a struggle and a fight for any move that could determine the outcome in favour or against.”

Though los Barralets would appear to have a relatively easy game on Monday evening game, Manzano has explained that even matches against teams in the lower reaches of the table can be a perilous undertaking at that stage of the season. “It will take a lot to score points [off relegation strugglers] because the league is very tight.”

With an excellent record at the ONO Estadi, Mallorca will be confident of picking up maximum points come Monday.

Road Troubles

A 2-2 tie with Malaga on Wednesday night has left Osasuna seemingly safe in their battle against relegation, though Joaquin Caparros’ side will want to pick up just a few more points to make absolutely certain. Now nine points clear of the red zone, the all-clear has virtually been sounded in Pamplona.

Had los Rojillos managed to hold onto the lead they once held against Osasuna, there would have been nothing to fret over in the final few weeks of the campaign. Walter Pandiani twice gave his side the lead, though twice they would allow their Andalusian guests a route back into the match.

The prospects of them making amends on Monday seem slim, especially given their rather feeble away record. Over the course of the last two months, Osasuna have failed to win a single point on the road, losing five matches from five, though they have played Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia in that difficult sequence.

Of the aforementioned sides, only Barca can command a better home record than Mallorca, which will really give the coach food for thought prior to the trip to the Balearic Islands.

Largely reliant on their defensive attributes to achieve success, los Rojillos have started to leak goals far more readily of late, with ten lost in their last six games. Los Barralets may not be Spain’s most prolific offensive unit, but they would appear to have enough to breach their guests at the weekend unless Caparros can once again forge his back four into the robust defensive corps they were earlier in the campaign.

FORM GUIDE

Mallorca

DREW 1-1 (a) Zaragoza (Liga, April 14)

WON 3-2 (h) Valencia (Liga, April 11)

DREW 1-1 (a) Almeria (Liga, April 4)

LOST 1-0 (h) Barcelona (Liga, March 27)

DREW 0-0 (a) Racing Santander (Liga, March 24)

Osasuna

DREW 2-2 (h) Malaga (Liga, April 14)

WON 2-0 (h) Zaragoza (Liga, April 11)

LOST 3-0 (a) Valencia (Liga, April 4)

WON 1-0 (h) Almeria (Liga, March 28)

LOST 2-0 (a) Barcelona (Liga, March 24)

TEAM NEWS

Mallorca

Chori Castro is suspended for this encounter, while there are still injury problems for Ivan Ramis and Tuni. Julio Alvarez and Mario Suarez will have to shake off problems if they are to feature fully at the weekend.

Probable Starting XI: Aouate; Mattioni, Ruben, Nunes, Ayoze; Alvarez, Valero, Marti, Mattioni; Victor, Aduriz

Osasuna

The long-standing problems for Ludovic Delporte and Dady have not cleared before the weekend’s fixture, while there is bad news for Javad Nekounam, who hasn’t been able to overcome an ankle problem to feature at the ONO Estadi. Finally, Sergio is suspended.

Probable Starting XI: Ricardo; Azpilicueta, Miguel Flano, Ruper, Monreal; Juanfran, Vadocz, Punal, Camunas; Pandiani, Aranda

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mallorca

Borja Valera, who is on loan from West Bromwich Albion, has provided the heartbeat of the Mallorca side for much of the season. The midfielder made an instant impression with the ONO Estadi club this summer, scoring on his bow against Valladolid, and he has rarely looked back since. His early season goal scoring contribution has dried up a little, and if he can find his best in that regard before the campaign is out, there is every chance the club could be unlikely participants in the Champions League next season.

Osasuna

If there is anyone liable to score for Osasuna, it’s certainly Walter Pandiani. The Uruguayan veteran has provided the Pamplona club with a healthy stream of goals this term, having found the net ten times in league play. Two goals were plundered against Malaga in midweek, and if he continues at the same level, los Rojillos may just have enough to trouble their hosts.

PREDICTION

Stunning at home, Mallorca will start Monday’s game as strong favourites against a side who have not always been at their best of late. Gregorio Manzano will recognise that this is the kind of fixture his unit need to win if they are to maintain their hopes of mingling with Europe’s elite next season, and the team should respond.

Mallorca 2-0 Osasuna