Deportivo La Coruña will chase a shock in the Copa del Rey after beating La Liga opposition has become a realistic measure of their progress; the club faces Mallorca with a place in the last 16 at stake.
The Copa del Rey Riazor stage sets a classic underdog test: Deportivo vs Mallorca is a Segunda Division cup tie on paper, but the gap is narrower than it seems. Mallorca arrive unbeaten in their last four matches across competitions, while Deportivo La Coruña football have rebuilt confidence and form this season.
For Deportivo, this match offers more than a cup run. A win would boost promotion-chasing momentum, reconnect fans with the club’s proud cup history — notably the 2001–02 triumph over Real Madrid — and deliver a defining moment under the Riazor floodlights.
Mallorca, Copa del Rey runners-up in 2024, bring top-flight experience and squad depth. They will aim to protect cup form and avoid the upset that would hand Deportivo a headline result and fresh belief in the Segunda Division cup tie.
Key Takeaways
- Deportivo host Mallorca in a Copa del Rey round of 32 tie at Riazor.
- Deportivo La Coruña football seek momentum and a place in the last 16.
- Deportivo vs Mallorca contrasts Segunda Division grit with La Liga experience.
- Mallorca arrive unbeaten in four and were 2024 Copa del Rey runners-up.
- A cup upset would boost Deportivo’s promotion push and club pride.
Match preview: Copa del Rey showdown at Riazor
The round of 32 tie at Riazor sets up a classic cup clash with real stakes for both clubs. This Copa del Rey preview focuses on why the fixture matters: Deportivo La Coruña can chase promotion momentum while Mallorca aim to extend their cup run ahead of the winter break.
Fixture context and stakes
Playing at Riazor gives Deportivo a home boost in a Riazor fixture context that favors the underdog story. Deportivo cup ambitions center on building confidence for the Segunda División promotion push and reviving deeper cup traditions that date back to their 2001–02 triumph. Mallorca cup stakes include testing rotation and keeping form sharp after a busy schedule that saw them reach the 2024 final.
Recent form and momentum
Deportivo form has been mixed but generally strong across competitions; the team recorded a seven-game winning streak before two recent league setbacks. That Deportivo momentum can matter in knockout football, given their tendency to score in most matches. Mallorca recent form shows fewer highs and lows in La Liga. Their all-competition run has been consistent, with a Mallorca unbeaten run across four matches boosting confidence heading into Riazor.
Head-to-head and historical context
Deportivo vs Mallorca history carries weight for supporters. Past meetings Deportivo Mallorca include playoff clashes and league matches, the most recent competitive tie coming in 2019 when Mallorca edged promotion. The head-to-head record varies by dataset, but many sources give Deportivo a historical edge. This reunion after several years adds intrigue to the tie.
Team news and probable lineups
Deportivo La Coruña head into the cup tie with clear priorities. Club insiders stress the need to protect a promotion push while treating the Copa del Rey as a chance to test squad depth. Recent Deportivo La Coruña team news points to a couple of notable absences that shape selection choices.
Deportivo La Coruña football squad updates
Manager Antonio Hidalgo updates show Sergio Escudero sidelined by a muscle issue. Luismi Cruz is unavailable with an ankle problem. Those Deportivo injuries limit full-back options and force rotation in wide areas.
Deportivo squad updates emphasize attacking roles. Hidalgo looks to Zakaria Eddahchouri and Yeremy Hernández for goals and creativity. The pair account for 23 goal involvements this season and keep the manager’s plans flexible.
Deportivo possible starting XI
The expected Deportivo probable lineup favors a compact setup. Reports list Germán Parreño in goal with a back four of David Mella, Miguel Loureiro, Arnau Comas and Dani Barcia. Giacomo Quagliata offers width from full-back on the left.
- Midfield options: José Ángel Jurado or Charlie Patino, Patino, Mario Soriano
- Attacking duo: Stoichkov and Yeremy Hernández
- Shape: Deportivo formation 4-3-2-1 emphasizing a single striker with two supporting attackers
This Deportivo starting XI and Deportivo probable lineup give Hidalgo a balance between solidity and forward thrust. The team have scored in 10 of their last 11 matches, a sign the chosen setup can create chances.
Mallorca squad availability and lineup
Mallorca team news brings its own complications. Manuel Morlanes is sidelined with an adductor problem and Omar Mascarell is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Reports mention first-choice keeper Leo Román carrying a hamstring issue.
Mallorca injuries force manager Jagoba Arrasate lineup thinking. The Mallorca probable XI often looks like this: Lucas Bergström in goal, Pablo Maffeo, Martín Valjent, Kumbulla and Lato across defense, Sergi Darder and Óscar Sánchez in midfield, Mateo Joseph and Jan Virgili supporting Vedat Muriqi as the central striker.
Vedat Muriqi remains the focal point after a run of strong scoring form. For more detailed match-by-match context see this preview on team news and lineups.
Tactical battle and key match-ups to watch
Expect a tense, tactical duel at Riazor where Deportivo tactics focus on pressing the ball and quick transitions. The home side lean on a compact 4-3-2-1 to control the midfield and feed creative attackers. Riazor home advantage can lift intensity and force Mallorca into hurried choices.
Deportivo strengths include consistent scoring from Yeremy Hernández, Eddahchouri and Stoichkov. Those forwards combine well on counters and set pieces. Deportivo vulnerabilities show up in recent defensive lapses and injury absences on the left, which could be an avenue for Mallorca to exploit.
Mallorca tactics under Jagoba Arrasate style favor a 4-3-3 with direct outlets to Vedat Muriqi. The plan is efficient chance creation and rapid switches to the wide forwards. Mallorca strengths lie in Muriqi’s aerial presence and the team’s compact attacking numbers in open play.
Mallorca away struggles are clear in their road results this season. That makes them vulnerable when facing a high-intensity home team that exploits space behind full-backs. Their cup experience remains valuable even as away defensive issues persist.
- Midfield contest: Deportivo’s compact midfield must disrupt Sergi Darder and Manu Morlanes to limit supply. Control here shapes the tempo of the tie.
- Wide areas: Stoichkov and Yeremy Hernández will test Mallorca full-backs, seeking quick combinations and overlaps to exploit spaces.
- Aerial duels: Muriqi vs Deportivo defense creates several key moments on set pieces and long balls.
Key matchups Deportivo Mallorca will hinge on small margins. Muriqi vs Deportivo defense tests Miguel Loureiro and Arnau Comas in one-on-one duels. Stoichkov vs Mallorca defenders will aim to drag defenders out of position and create openings.
Keep an eye on goalkeeper battles and late-game impact substitutes. Set-piece organization and fresh attacking options can swing the game. These tactical details set the stage for a compact, tactical cup contest with moments that decide the outcome.
Predictions, stats and betting angles
Deportivo predictions point to a tight, competitive cup tie at Riazor. One informed projection is Deportivo La Coruña 1–2 Mallorca, reflecting Mallorca’s top-flight quality and cup experience. Still, Deportivo’s recent scoring run — they have found the net in 10 of 11 matches — and home motivation mean an upset or extra-time scenario is plausible.
For Copa del Rey betting, the clearest value looks like BTTS Deportivo Mallorca. Deportivo have scored consistently and Mallorca have seen both teams score in four of their last five matches. Given Deportivo’s defensive lapses and Mallorca’s willingness to attack, expect an open game with multiple chances and goals.
Consider markets beyond a straight winner. Total goals markets lean toward over 2.5 given Deportivo conceded six in their last two matches and Mallorca’s strong attacking output. Asian handicap options or a double-chance on Deportivo to draw or win offer safer underdog exposure, while an anytime scorer bet on Vedat Muriqi or a 1–2 correct-score Mallorca prediction can be the decisive play.
For readers who want deeper odds context and lineup clues, see this detailed preview for extra betting prompts and bookmaker angles: match prediction Riazor. In summary, expect a competitive tie: BTTS is the primary pure-bet angle, with a close Mallorca win as the educated match pick in Mallorca prediction and Deportivo predictions coverage.
