Mallorca look to start 2002 in style

Seventh placed Mallorca will be missing star striker Samuel Eto'o and attacking midfielder Alvaro Novo -both suspended after red cards against Barcelona in the last game of 2002 -- and the injured defensive duo of Javier Olaizola and David Cortes. The injuries will force Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano to give Angel, on loan from Real Oviedo for the remainder of the season, his debut in a Mallorca shirt, while in central defence Manzano will persist with Federico Lussenhoff, a galloping donkey of a defender who has been directly responsible for two goals in the past two matches. Creative midfielder Ariel Ibagaza will push into a more attacking role alongside Walter Pandiani in a bid to cover for Eto'o, while Alejandro Campano and Albert Riera will be expected to make the most of space down either flank. Mallorca's main aim today will be to halt the rot that has set in over the past few matches. After a seven match win streak, a run that elevated the Islanders into second place in the league, Mallorca have won just one point from a possible 15. Sevilla have a few setbacks of their own, the first being a ground ban following crowd trouble in October's league derby against Real Betis and forcing the Andalucians to host the game at Cadiz's Ramon de Carranza stadium. Although Sevilla fully expect 10'000 fans to turn up to the abnormally early 12.00 kick-off, many Cadiz fans have said they will go to the match to support Mallorca. Sevilla are also reeling from a 3-0 thumping at Real Madrid on Thursday and will be without defender Javi Navarro who saw red during that match.