Mallorca-Sevilla-What are we made of?

By: Jeremy | April 12th, 2008

Now that there are just seven games left to play, Mallorca has likely done enough to where relegation should be out of their vocabulary. If relegation is not an issue, then what is there left to play for? Realistically, we have a shot at 7th place and an Intertoto Cup spot if we can leapfrog a couple teams and hold off a huge pack of teams that are also eyeing that 7th place spot. A big finish would make 6th certainly a possibility. Such a situation can really motivate a team or lead to just playing out the string knowing that they will be back in La Liga next year with more of an eye looking on how to improve the club for next year.

This weeks game, the second of the rare back to back home matches, finds us welcoming Sevilla to the Ona Estadi. Sevilla, after a dreadful start, has played some great football and now finds themselves in the final UEFA Cup Spot and only five points back of Athletico for the last Champions League spot. Just like Mallorca, their current position seems pretty safe, but they would like to move up. However, they have more to lose then Mallorca so they must focus each week for the rest of the season or they may not be playing European football. The depth of La Liga this year leaves no room for error.

This should be the first game for Mallorca in what will be a serious push toward European football, or the last game before we just play out the year and go home. All of the above factors will make for a great match and as I will discuss in my followup post after the match the reason why La Liga is not only the best football league from top to bottom, but arguably the most enjoyable to watch week in and week out.

Sevilla will be without Adriano and Mallorca will be without Ibagaza who picked up an injury this week in training as well as free kick kid Ramis in the back. This is definitely an advantage for Sevilla. This game will likely show why Ibagaza is so vital to the success of the Islanders. Without him Arango is going to be more of a facilitator of the ball to Guiza who will hopefully do a better job of finishing then he did last week against Madrid. With the improved defense shown lately, Mallorca could really send a message this week even with a couple vital players missing.

Other then their big loss recently to Athletico, Sevilla is beating everyone thrown in front of them including the big dog Madrid. Mallorca has done almost as well but continues to tie too many games. This weeks game is not going to be a tie.

With Manzano fired up and ready to motivate his players and the team President and Sporting Director taking more of an interest in the team on the practice field, this will be the week Mallorca lets everyone know we are going to push for Europe. Considering Mallorcas penchant for ties, that would be the easy result to predict. Not having Ibagaza and Ramis hurts, but this team does have some depth and might even welcome back Chori Castro for some game action.

Even without a few players that prove vital to the flow and result of the game missing, expect to see a great match. If everyone was healthy and playing, I think Mallorca wins this game for sure. Without Ibagaza and Ramis, I am not so sure, but what the hell….

Prediction Sevilla 2-3 Mallorca