Mallorca-Valencia

By: Jeremy | January 23rd, 2009

The team is now back home to begin the second half with one of the better teams in La Liga coming on the heels of four tough games to finish up the first half. Other then the surprise point against Sevilla, the expected defeats against Barca, Real Madrid, and Villarreal have left the team barely out of last place, but most importantly clearly in the relegation zone with the teams they need to pass slowly pulling away. Getting a game against Valencia, even at home, when points are so desperately needed, is just the latest reminder that the team is in crisis and a bad schedule does not make it any easier.

For all the negativity associated with the team, we manage to do well in the Kings Cup and this includes this weeks 1-0 win at home against Betis with Copa stud Keita scoring the loan goal. While this advantage will make qualification to the semis an iffy proposition, a win is a win and it can be used by the players and management to say morale is better. The last time we had a midweek Copa game at home with a good result, we had a La Liga game days later at home and got drilled by Madrid. Valencia is as good if not better then Madrid so unlike last time, I am not confident of the result on the weekend.

Valencia also played in the Copa this week yet showed the goal scoring prowess that makes this a great team but also fun to watch. Any team with Silva and Joaquin et al is what makes the Spanish League exciting to a fan who just enjoys a well played game by any team.

With Numancia and Recreativo in the safe spots 6 points ahead of us, we cannot fall further behind and expect to make it up. This game will create our baseline as to what must be done over the next ten weeks to see if the fans are going to be watching Segunda B next year or if we manage to survive. Home or not, there will be no points this weekend and the match needs to be forgotten as soon as it is over as we will then get a run of must win games against teams that are not better then we are, despite all of our issues. Most of these games are winnable and we have to hope its not too late to restore confidence and get some wins.

Enjoy the game if you like good soccer, but dont watch if you are a Mallorca fan.

Prediction

Mallorca 1-3 Valencia