RCD Mallorca face leaders SD Eibar this Saturday at Ipurúa with their manager warning of the parity in the second tier. The match, kicking off at 16:15, arrives with doubts over Aboubaka Soumahoro and Arnau Puigmal due to muscle discomfort.

Coach Luis García explained in his pre-match press conference that the Segunda División is not about budgets. "In this category there are no favourites", stated the manager. "Teams that come down from the First Division were almost relegated last year, it's a category that understands performances".

García also analysed the opponent, who arrive after a 3-1 loss in Oviedo. "We all know what it's like to play there, everything happens very fast, we have to control set-pieces", he commented. "Last week they lost in Oviedo but deserved better luck, they defend very compactly in a low block and are dangerous on the counter".

The threat of the leaders

Eibar, joint-leaders with 21 points, are the top-scoring team in the competition with 19 goals. Their manager, Jokin Aranbarri, has warned of Mallorca's attacking capacity. "It's a powerful team. It doesn't need to dominate you for long because it has the ability to hurt you quickly", said the Basque coach. Aranbarri expects an attractive duel and has asked his team to react after the defeat at the Tartiere.

For Mallorca, fourth with 17 points, the challenge is to improve their away record. The team has scored only one goal in their four league trips, a stat that contrasts with their solidity at home. Adrián Fuentes, with five goals, is the main attacking threat for the Balearic side, supported by Pablo Torre and Álex Sala. Sergi Darder acts as the engine in midfield.

Goalkeeper 'Pichu' Cuéllar will experience a special match returning to Ipurúa, where he played on loan from Atlético Madrid in the 2007/08 season. On the opposing side, Mahón-born striker Jon Bautista, aged 31, will be the Balearic representative in the Eibar ranks.

The last precedent at Ipurúa was positive for the vermilion side. In January 2022, in the Copa del Rey round of 32, Mallorca came back from an early Blanco Leschuk goal with strikes from Gayà and Ángel to secure passage.

Luis García's squad face this clash after regaining confidence with a 3-1 win over UD Las Palmas. However, the team needs points away from home to stay in the upper part of a very tight standings. Their next league commitment will be at home against Albacete Balompié on the weekend of 24 October.