'We will have to defend well,' Sevilla boss Pimienta says ahead of Mallorca clash.
After a narrow defeat to Osasuna, Mallorca aim to secure their first win of the season against a similarly struggling Sevilla side in a tantalizing midweek clash at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.
Mallorca
Mallorca have now gone two games without a win [0W, 1D, 1L] after a 1-0 loss to Osasuna on Saturday, following a single goal from Rubén García Santos [55’] at El Sadar. The defeat comes after a 1-1 draw with Madrid, a result that fuelled early-season optimism.
Tuesday’s clash with Sevilla could bring another window of opportunity to right the wrongs of Match Day 2 when they host Sevilla, who are also in similar shoes. While Mallorca have lost only four of their last 10 home games [4W, 2D, 4L], they have won just one of their eight meetings with Sevilla [1W, 2D, 5L]. This record does not inspire much confidence on Tuesday night.
Following a 1-0 win over the visitors back in December 2023, a win for Mallorca on Tuesday night would leave the Pirates with back-to-back home wins over Sevilla for just the third time in La Liga history. A victory will also hand Mallorca successive home wins over the visitors for the first time since 1999.
A 4—3—3 formation with Vedat Muriqi, Dani Rodríguez, and Takuma Asano in attack is expected. Meanwhile, Jagoba Arrasate will be without Javi Llabrés for this midweek clash.
Sevilla
Sevilla suffered a 2-1 loss to Villarreal on Friday night after a stoppage-time goal from Ayoze Pérez [90’+5] eventually separated both sides. They are now looking to pick up their maiden win of the season after going two games without a victory [0W, 1D, 1L].
With only a point after two opening days, Sevilla are seated in 14th place in what appears to be another slow start to the season. However, a fine record in games played on Tuesday will leave the visitors confident ahead of this fixture.
Sevilla have lost just one of their last 15 games played on Tuesday [9W, 5D, 1L]. Nevertheless, they have lost two of their last five away games against Mallorca [2W, 1D, 2L].
"Now we have to think about Mallorca. We will have to defend well and be clinical in front of goal because we create chances," said García Pimienta in a pre-match press conference. The 50-year-old will most likely keep the familiar 4-3-3 setup for this fixture, with Dodi Lukebakio, Isaac Romero, and Lucas Ocampos in attack.
Suso appears to be the only absentee for this midweek fixture.
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