25 August 2021, 16:17 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Spanish La Liga League fixture, RCD Mallorca vs RCD Espanyol de Barcelona kicks off at 19:00 (GMT+1) on Friday, August 27 at the Iberostar Stadium.
Preview Mallorca La Liga, Aug 27, 2021
Preview A narrow victory over ten-men Alaves on the second day of the season leaves the Pirates in 5th place and with 4 points after two games, 1W, 1D & 0L. The hard-fought win was their very first since the start of the new season. Mallorca started on the front foot but failed to find the target early enough despite several clear-cut chances at the opposing end. Minutes after the break, Ruben Duarte (R. 66') picked up another yellow and was given the marching orders, leaving Mallorca with the numerical advantage. Both sides were eventually carved apart late into the second half after Fer Nino (80') lobbed Alaves' goalkeeper for the only goal of the game. After a promotion to play top-flight football, coach Luis García would like to see his side gather enough points to remain in La Liga at the end of the season. He will aim for maximum points on the first day of this weekend when Mallorca returns for their third appearance of the season. An attacking 4—2—3—1 formation from Luis García could see centre-forward Abdon Prats leading the lines once again. Meanwhile, Ángel Rodríguez is currently sidelined with a muscular problem and remains doubtful for this fixture against Espanyol.
Preview Espanyol La Liga, Aug 27, 2021
Preview Espanyol returns behind Saturday's goalless draw at the RCDE Stadium against Villarreal. Having 40% of the ball, the White and Blue failed to convert despite taking 14 shots with 3 on target. After back-to-back draws, the newly-promoted side, Espanyol are left in 13th place with 2 points after two games: 0W, 2D & 0L. Coach Vicente Moreno has maintained a 55%-win rate ever since the 4th of August, 2020 when he slipped into the coaching seat at Espanyol. - Helping the side to 26 victories after 47 games in charge. Reports suggest a conventional 4—4—2 formation could be on the cards for Vicente Moreno. Despite the poor finishing, - against Villarreal, Raul de Tomas is expected in attack once again alongside Landry Dimata. The 26-year-old Spaniard failed to convert several clear-cut chances against Villarreal. Coupled with his unwillingness to find a teammate in a better shooting position, he could be ripe for the bench with Lei Wu ready to take his place. Raul de Tomas was the highest goal scorer in the Spanish lower division last season, having bagged a total of 23 goals in 37 appearances. Luckily, Moreno will have the luxury of making his selection from a fully fit squad.