Mallorca will be aiming to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey when they tackle Pontevedra CF on Friday evening.
The visitors entered the winter break in Spain off the back of successive wins over Girona and Getafe, which moved them into sixth spot in the La Liga table, while fourth-tier outfit Pontevedra have been victorious in each of their last five matches in all competitions.
Match preview
Pontevedra have already claimed two big scalps in this season's Copa del Rey, beating Levante and Villarreal to reach the round of 32, and they will be bidding to record another huge win in the competition on Friday night.
Yago Iglesias's side are enjoying an excellent season across the board, and they will enter this clash off the back of five straight wins, including four in the league, which has left them at the top of the Segunda Division RFEF Group 1 on 39 points.
Ponte have not been present in the last-32 stage of the Copa del Rey since 2007-08, while they have not been in the round of 16 since 1971-72, which is an indication of what is on offer for the hosts here.
Pontevedra are unbeaten in their last seven matches in front of their own supporters, recording six wins in the process, and having beaten Villarreal at home in the competition last time out, they will be full of confidence entering this clash.
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Mallorca, meanwhile, entered the international break in Spain off the back of successive wins over Girona and Getafe, which moved them into sixth position in the La Liga table on 30 points, six points outside the Champions League spots.
The Pirates were 15th in Spain's top flight last term but have the look of European challengers this term, and there is no question that their main focus will be on the league in the coming months.
However, they reached the final of last season's Copa del Rey, losing to Athletic Bilbao, and Los Bermellones won the competition back in 2002-03.
Jagoba Arrasate's side will take on Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on January 9 ahead of a potential final against either Athletic Bilbao or Barcelona on January 11.
Mallorca are back in league action against Villarreal on January 20, meanwhile, and it will be fascinating to see what the team can achieve this season, as there is a lot of talent in the squad.
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Team News
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Dalisson de Almeida has been Pontevedra's outstanding performer this season, scoring nine goals and registering one assist in 19 appearances, and the 24-year-old should start for the home side in this clash.
Chiqui has also been in excellent form, managing five goals and three assists in 18 appearances, and the 27-year-old is set to be another starter for the fourth-tier outfit in the clash with Mallorca.
No injuries have been reported from the team's 2-1 win over Real Avila before the winter break, so it is expected to be the same squad available for the Copa del Rey fixture with Mallorca.
The visitors could be without the services of Samu Costa due to a muscular problem, but head coach Arrasate could otherwise have a full squad, with Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi available after recent suspensions.
There will be changes from the side that started against Getafe before the winter break, with Robert Navarro, Copete, Abdon Prats, Toni Lato, Mateu Morey among those set to come into the XI.
There is also expected to be a spot between the sticks for Ivan Cuellar, as Arrasate prepares to ring the changes, but Sergi Darder is likely to retain his spot in a wide midfield position.
Pontevedra CF possible starting lineup:
Vizoso; Fontan, Garay, Gomez, Hernandez; Mayo; Dali, Novo, Pino, Chiqui; Lopez
Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Cuellar; Morey, Valjent, Copete, Lato; Navarro, A Sanchez, Mascarell, Darder; Larin, Prats
We say: Pontevedra CF 1-3 Mallorca
Pontevedra are a strong outfit in good form, and we are expecting the hosts to give their fans a goal to cheer on Friday night, but Mallorca's superior quality all over the field should allow them to advance to the next stage of the competition.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
