Mallorca v R. Vallecano preview
Caparros backing Mallorca to make some late-season noise
Last Updated: May 1, 2012 9:00pm
Caparros: Chasing Europa berth
Real Mallorca coach Joaquin Caparros believes his side can start to put fear into their rivals for the European places if they can win their third Primera Division match on the spin against Rayo Vallecano.
Sky Bet Odds
Real Mallorca - 5/6, Draw - 5/2, Rayo Vallecano - 16/5 Bet now
Despite a largely inconsistent season, Mallorca remain in touching distance of a Europa League berth and three points at home on Wednesday night could vault them into the thick of the action.
Back-to-back wins over Real Zaragoza and Getafe have left Caparros' charges in 10th, just three points shy of sixth place and a Europa League berth with three games remaining.
Caparros concedes it has been a stealthy run on the top six so far, but expects the teams around them to sit up and take notice if the winning trend continues on Wednesday night.
"So far we have tried not to make too much noise," he told the club's official website.
"Quietly, we'll see if tomorrow we can have a good game.
"If we succeed, we will begin to make some noise.
"If we get a positive result, people will believe more can be achieved.
"It is a very important game."
Rayo are on a miserable four-game losing streak that reached its nadir with a 7-0 mauling against Barcelona at the weekend, but Caparros fears they could be all the more dangerous for their humiliation at the hands of Lionel Messi and company.
"It's a team that I know well, their coach will motivate them," he said.
"When they have a very negative result like this, they want to play as soon as possible to change their image, individually and collectively."
Rayo head into the match in 15th place, six points above the drop zone.
Best bet: Real Mallorca to win both halves - 16/5
Matches
-
Spanish Primera BBVA
Table
Spanish Primera BBVA
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 38 | 100 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 38 | 85 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 38 | 76 |
| 4 | Real Sociedad | 38 | 66 |
| 5 | Valencia | 38 | 65 |
| 6 | Malaga | 38 | 57 |
| 7 | Real Betis | 38 | 56 |
| 8 | Rayo Vallecano | 38 | 53 |
| 9 | Sevilla | 38 | 50 |
| 10 | Getafe | 38 | 47 |
| 11 | Levante | 38 | 46 |
| 12 | Athletic Bilbao | 38 | 45 |
| 13 | Espanyol | 38 | 44 |
| 14 | Real Valladolid | 38 | 43 |
| 15 | Granada | 38 | 42 |
| 16 | Osasuna | 38 | 39 |
| 17 | Celta Vigo | 38 | 37 |
| 18 | Real Mallorca | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Deportivo La Coruna | 38 | 35 |
| 20 | Real Zaragoza | 38 | 34 |
