Mallorca v Sociedad preview

Laudrup: Under pressure

Real Mallorca manager Michael Laudrup has come under scrutiny in recent weeks due to a run of form that has seen his side lose their last three Primera Division matches without scoring a goal.

Laudrup, who has had a difficult relationship with director of football Lorenzo Serra Ferrer during his time at Mallorca, said this week that being sacked was merely "a part of football" but midfielder Emilio Nsue says that the squad is determined to beat Real Sociedad to save their manager's job.

"It is a match we have to win to help Laudrup. We will fight until the end for him, it is not just another match because we have to cut short the run of three defeats and help the club, the manager and ourselves," he said.

Despite Mallorca's poor start to the season, Sociedad manager Philippe Montanier believes this match will be as tough as the one his side faced last weekend at Sevilla.

That game ended in a 1-0 defeat for La Real but they bounced back with a 1-0 win over Granada on Tuesday.

Montanier said: "Looking at Granada I realised that this season will be difficult because in this league there are many good teams.

"There are no easy opponents and we have to progress in all facets of the game: in defence, in controlling possession, which is what we didn't do towards the end of the Granada game, in attack and at set-pieces.

"Mallorca's position doesn't reflect their performances so far and this will be just as difficult a match as that against Sevilla."

Montanier will be able to recall Xabi Prieto, Carlos Martinez and Vadim Demidov from injury.

Best bet: Imanol Agirretxe first scorer - 7/1