Huge game for Real Mallorca today at 4pm. They play fourth placed Leganés, one of the teams that were relegated with them from La Liga last season. Mallorca are six points clear of them at the top so a win would open up a nine point gap. Heading into Matchday 18 with four consecutive victories and unbeaten since the opening day of the season, the coach Luis Garcia believes this weekend’s hosts could pose a threat.
“CD Leganés are having a great season, In other years they would be among the places for direct promotion. As hosts they’re very strong, although it’s also true playing away has cost them a little more. They have a coach who knows the division well and have very good players. It’ss going to be a very difficult match and we hope to get something positive.
“We’re more of a pressing team in attack and they will perhaps look to get behind us. Whatever happens in Butarque, there world won’t end. There will come a time when the level of the teams at the top will drop, it’s impossible to keep up at this pace. When that time comes, you have to be calm and value the work we’ve done.
Abdón Prats has struck four times in his last three games, although the Coach stressed no player is guaranteed a starting spot among a highly competitive squad.
“Abdon is a player who is on a roll and we have to take him into account, but no one is indisputable. Other times he has played and not scored, and we have been happy with his work.” I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t start today.
Next Wednesday they play Guijuelo in the Copa Del Rey First round. Club Deportivo Guijuelo are from Salamanca, founded in 1974 they play in Segunda División B – Group 1, holding home games at the 1,500-seat Estadio Municipal de Guijuelo. They currently lie in eighth position in their league out of ten having played seven games, won 1, drawn 2 and lost 4. It will be interesting to see what time he puts out in that one.
Atlético Baleares finally got a win last weekend when they defeated Las Rozas by 2-0. Early goals from Iñaki Olartua in the 8th minute and Vinicius Tanque(The Tank) in the 11th minute.
They are up to fourth now in their league, but 10 points behind the leaders Rayo Majadahonda. This weekend they have a home local derby against UD Poblense. Poblense are still without a win but have drawn 5 games. Last week they drew 0-0 at CDA Navalcarnero.
UD Ibiza dropped their first points of the season away at second placed Orihuela with a 0-0 draw. There’s another local derby in Ibiza too where UD will play Peña Deportiva.
Copa Del Rey games for all our teams this coming week.
UD Poblense v Olot Weds 14.00
Atlético Baleares v Fuenlabrada Weds 19.00
Guijuelo v Real Mallorca Weds 19.30
UD Ibiza v Compostela Thursday 19.00
Peña Deportiva v Tarazona Thursday 19.30
And a special night for CD Cardasser who are hosting La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid on Wednesday at 19.00.
In Tercera Group A, no games last week so Andratx still lead from Manacor. In Group B, Platges de Calvia are level on points with PE Sant Jordi.
In Division Honor, CD San Francisco got a great draw with Barcelona 1-1 to keep themselves mid table. Real Mallorca also had a great result winning away at Girona 1-2 and Penya Arrabal lost at home 0-1 to top of the table Espanyol.
Take care everyone.
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
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