Back
Opposition lowdown: Mallorca
What to know about RCD Espanyol's next opponents
RCD Espanyol face RCD Mallorca on Friday at the Visit Mallorca Estadi.
The final match of the month sees Diego Martínez’s side cross the Balearic Sea to face an evenly-matched opposition. Mallorca lie just two positions ahead going into this week’s meeting, but that could all change with a positive away result for Espanyol.
---
Name: RCD Mallorca
Nickname: Los Piratas (The Pirates)
Manager: Javier Aguirre
Stadium: Visit Mallorca Estadi – 23,142 capacity
Last match: W 2-1 vs Valencia
Last season: 16th
---
Last meeting
Espanyol prevailed in their most recent meeting with Mallorca, hosting them at the RCDE Stadium in March. A Raúl de Tomás goal in the first half was enough to seal the three points and move the side further up the standings.
Key player
Vedat Muriqi has hit the ground running for his new club, having joined in the summer to bolster their attacking options.
The Kosovo international is a commanding striker for Mallorca, with five goals to his name in nine league appearances. He will prove a stern challenge to the Espanyol backline who will aim to keep him quiet this Friday.
Club links
Luis García spent a season with Mallorca at the start of his career, and had a solid year as he scored 11 goals and missed just one league game all season.
That earned him a move to Espanyol, where he would go onto make his name in the blanquiazul shirt. García had six prosperous years at the Club, making 257 appearances while forming part of the squad that won the Copa del Rey in 2006.
Back on the island
Brian Oliván makes his return to Mallorca, having played 63 times for the side before he left for Espanyol in the recent transfer window. The left-back has played every match this season under Martínez and will hope to add to his two assists on Friday.