Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Mallorca and Espanyol go head to head at Visit Mallorca Estadi in what is expected to be a close La Liga encounter. Los Bermellones aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, but this game will be anything but a walk in the park for the islanders. Nino is pushing for a start after he scored the winner at the weekend, while all Angel Rodriguez, Jaume Costa, and Antonio Sanchez remain in the recovery room.
Anyhow, we predict that Mallorca will grab something from Friday’s game as they are tough to beat at home. Los Periquitos, on the other hand, head into the match following back-to-back goalless draw with the likes of Osasuna and Villarreal. The Catalans have been impressive at the back of late, and, taking everything into account, a low-scoring affair is on the cards at Visit Mallorca Estadi. Defender Adria Pedrosa should be the only absentee in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Aleksandar Trajkovski):
Aleksandar Trajkovski is a Macedonian international who played for Cementarnica 55 during his youth career. He made 11 league appearances for the club at senior level as well and in 2010 he moved to Croatian team Inter Zapresic.
The attacking midfielder failed to prove his worth in the 2010/2011 season and, as a result, he was sold to Zulte Waregem in the summer of 2011. He played an important role in the Belgian team from 2011 to 2015 as he scored 11 goals in 83 league appearances for the club. It has to be noted, though, that Trajkovski spend the 2013/2014 season on loan at Mechelen. In 2015 he was named Macedonian Footballer of the Year and the same year he signed a contract with Italian side Palermo.
Speaking of his international career, Aleksandar Trajkovski has 15 caps for Macedonia U21 and he made his debut for the senior team on 10 August, 2011 in a friendly against Azerbaijan.
Highlighted Team (Espanyol):
Espanyol are a Catalan club that plays in Spanish La Liga. Espanyol were founded in 1900 and their original name was Sociedad Espanola de Football. In 1901 the Catalan club changed its name to Club Espanol de Futbol. Los Periquitos used to play in bright yellow shirts in the past, but current colour of the team’s home kit is blue and white.
Espanyol’s fiercest rivals are Barcelona and the two teams face each other in the Catalan derby (Derbi barceloni). Espanyol have always been in Barca’s shadow, but it has to be noted that los Periquitos have won four Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup trophies).
The likes of Raul Tamudo, Jose Maria, Antonio Argiles and Mauricio Pochettino are players with most appearances for the Catalan outfit. Espanyol play their home games at Estadio Cornella-El Prat and the capacity of the stadium is 40,500. Los Periquitos have never participated in the Champions League.