RCD Mallorca need a win this Saturday at Butarque to reignite their promotion hopes after an inconsistent run. The Balearic side, seventh in the table with 18 points, face a Leganes team sitting 17th and engulfed in a deep crisis of results.

Manager Luis García remains confident in his team's process despite the results not fully reflecting it. "We are on the right path," explained the coach, insisting the group shows clear evolution that will eventually translate into more convincing victories. Mallorca have only managed one win in their last four matches, a record that leaves them five points off the direct promotion spots. Their last outing was a 1-1 draw against Eibar, with Adrián Fuentes on the scoresheet.

Significant defensive absences

For this clash, García will be forced to alter his defence. Right-back John Donald is suspended and will be replaced by Miguel Calatayud. The injury list is lengthy and includes key players like Josep Cerdà, Antoniu Roca, Dani Luna, Arnau Puigmal, Jan Salas and Morlanes. This shortage of available players presents an additional challenge at a historically difficult ground.

The match has an added layer due to the return of Dani Rodríguez to Butarque. The midfielder, who played for Leganes between 2017 and 2021, is a historic figure for Mallorca, a club he represented from 2018 to 2025, making 282 appearances and scoring 32 goals. In the last meeting at this stadium, on 31 August 2024, it was Rodríguez who scored the only goal in a win for the home side. Now he will be defending the visitors' colours.

An opponent in turmoil

Leganes' situation could not be more delicate. The team has just sacked their manager, Rubén Albés, after four consecutive goalless defeats, and has placed Luis Carrión in charge for his dugout debut. Also, they will be without striker Álvaro Morata, suspended for yellow card accumulation, and Miguel Atienza, who is carrying a physical discomfort.

With this backdrop, Mallorca cannot afford to let a key opportunity for three points slip away. Adrián Fuentes, the team's top scorer this season with six goals, will be one of the main offensive weapons. The squad knows a win would keep them within touching distance of the play-off places, while a stumble could begin to distance them from their target. The team has been working on recovering their intensity, with sessions registering over 320 minutes of possession with high pressure per match, a key statistic they aim to translate to Saturday's 16:15 kick-off. Following this match, their next fixture will be at home against Sporting de Gijón on Friday, 11 April.

Mallorca's last victory was a convincing 3-1 win over Las Palmas, a match in which Fuentes also scored. The team needs to recover that effectiveness away from Son Moix, where their record is not as strong. With a depleted squad but morale high after their manager's words, Luis García's men will take to the pitch at Butarque intent on dominating the game from the first minute and securing a victory that can serve as a turning point.

This story first appeared at mallorcadiario.com