Anuncios
Anuncios
Seeking to work their way up a mid-table logjam that has several clubs snapping on the heels of La Liga’s (LL) top six, Mallorca’s home fixture against Elche could hardly have arrived at a better time. Their 2-1 loss away to Espanyol last round continued a ten-game pattern of LL matches all won by the home side of the day, a streak they will hope extends to 12 with a pair of back-to-back home outings coming up.
Manager Javier Aguirre insists his players continue to “have (their) feet on the ground” despite what must be a wonderful feeling of starting this round three points from the top six, stressing that his focus is on “consolidating and growing”. That lofty position can be attributed to some stellar home form with only their last outing here seeing them concede across the last five games (W5).
Elche might be in their best position in many weeks to test Mallorca’s defence after registering their second 2+ goal haul from their last 12 LL matches (W1, D2, L9), but even that was not enough to take a point from Betis (L 2-3). The depths of their horrific season and imminent relegation have been well documented, and it seems unlikely they will better their 1-1 draw in the reverse H2H to record their first league win at Mallorca since 1963.
Anuncios
The loss to Betis reaffirmed that Elche have had just as much difficulty holding a lead as they have had establishing one. The last round’s 2-0 half-time lead featured just their seventh opening goal of this LL season, and all they have to show for it is the division’s worst record (W1, D3, L3) after striking first. But with just one multiple-goal losing margin from their 11 LL games against clubs starting the round tenth or lower – like Mallorca – they may not disgrace themselves here.
Players to watch: Mallorca talisman Vedat Muriqi has recorded goals in three of their six straight LL home games without defeat, whilst Elche’s Lucas Boyé registered a double in his only career trip to Mallorca (D 2-2).
Hot stat: All but one of the last 11 LL matches involving either club produced at least one first-half goal.