Preview: Mallorca vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups

Copa del Rey semi-finalists Mallorca will be bidding to end a five-game winless run in La Liga when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Sunday afternoon.

The home side are currently 17th in the table, just three points ahead of the relegation zone, while Rayo are 13th, four points ahead of their opponents this weekend.

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Match preview

Mallorca were in Copa del Rey action on Tuesday evening, playing out a goalless draw with Real Sociedad in the first leg of their semi-final, putting them in a strong position to challenge for a spot in the final.

Javier Aguirre's side might be on course for a potential trophy this term, but their league form has been hugely disappointing, only picking up 20 points from 23 matches, which has left them in 17th spot in the table.

Mallorca are just three points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz and are on a five-game winless run in Spain's top flight, including losses to Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao in their last two.

The Pirates, who finished an impressive ninth last term, have only managed to win two of their 11 home league games this season, but they have lost just twice, drawing a league-high seven times in front of their own fans.

Mallorca are also on a four-game unbeaten run against Rayo in Spain's top flight, including a 3-0 success in the corresponding fixture during the 2022-23 campaign.

Rayo, meanwhile, are on a four-game winless run at this level of football, picking up just one point from matches against Las Palmas, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

The capital outfit were last victorious on January 2, winning 2-0 at Getafe, but it has been a struggle since then, and they were beaten at home by Sevilla on Monday night.

Rayo have finished 12th and 11th in their two seasons since returning to the top level, and they are currently 13th, picking up 24 points from their 23 league matches this season.

A seven-point gap over the relegation zone means that panic has not set in despite their disappointing form, but a defeat on Sunday would certainly leave them looking over their shoulder.

Rayo actually have the second-worst home form in the league this season but the sixth-best on their travels, picking up 16 points from their 12 away matches in 2023-24, so being on the road could suit them on Sunday.

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Team News

Mallorca will be without the services of two players due to injury problems, with Abdon Prats out with an ankle problem, while Pablo Maffeo is still missing due to a knee complaint.

The home side will also have to work around the absence of Cyle Larin, who picked up a milestone yellow card in the heavy league defeat to Athletic last weekend.

Vedat Muriqi has recently been used off the bench as part of his recovery process from injury, but Larin's absence is likely to open the door for the forward to start on Sunday.

As for Rayo, Diego Mendez is doubtful due to a muscular problem, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape for the clash with Mallorca.

Head coach Francisco is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the loss to Sevilla, with the bulk of the XI set to keep their spots this weekend.

There could potentially be a change in a wide area, though, with Oscar Trejo bidding to start, while Raul de Tomas and Jorge de Frutos will also be pushing to be included in the first XI.

Mallorca possible starting lineup: Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Valjent, Raillo, Copete, Costa; A Sanchez, Mascarell, Morales, D Rodriguez; Muriqi

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Espino; Palazon, U Lopez, Valentin, Trejo; A Garcia, Camello

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We say: Mallorca 0-0 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo have played their best football on their travels this season, and we came close to backing them to secure all three points here. Mallorca have only lost twice at home in the league this season, though, drawing seven times, and we can see a goalless draw occurring on Sunday afternoon.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.