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La Liga

Despite a great start, Real Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano's priority is to avoid the drop zone come the end of the season.

Mallorca have had a habit of starting seasons slowly in recent years, but this term the Balearic Islanders have got into their stride immediately and after 10 rounds they are sixth in the table with 17 points.

They are also one of only three teams, along with top two Barcelona and Real Madrid, to boast 100% home records in La Liga and, having also beaten Real Valladolid in the Copa del Rey, they could make it seven competitive wins out of seven at their Ono Estadi fortress against mid-table Almeria tomorrow.

It is a great position for Mallorca to be in at this stage of the season and some fans may be dreaming of a possible European adventure next season.

However, Manzano's focus is not currently fixed on developments at the top of the table, but on what his side's good form could mean for their hopes of staving off relegation.

"Picking up three points against Almeria would put us halfway towards safety and that's a big thing," he said.

"As well as that, we would open up a gap of around 10 points with a groups of teams who are near the bottom of the table and this is also important."

He added: "There is no bigger motivation for this game than the fact that we could practically be halfway towards our principal objective before the start of the season, and to obtain 21 points from 11 games is something that could allow us to think about other things if we continue in this manner."

More good news for Manzano, whose side progressed through to the last 16 of the cup after knocking out Valladolid on the away goals rule, is that five-goal striker Aritz Aduriz is available again after missing four of Mallorca's last five matches.

"He is our top goalscorer and I hope that when he returns he continues doing as well as before he was injured," said Manzano.

Almeria beat Osasuna 2-0 before the international break to move up to 11th place and now hold a five-point gap to the relegation zone.

Hugo Sanchez's side have struggled on their travels though, taking just four points from a possible 15, and that combined with Mallorca's formidable home form means the Andalusians are definitely underdogs heading into tomorrow's match.

Midfielder Hernan Bernadello believes his side can still get something out of the trip however, saying: "It will be hard, but if we play like we did against Atletico Madrid (2-2) or Malaga (2-1 win), we can get a positive result in Mallorca."

Chico was injured in the win over Osasuna, but has recovered during the international break and will be available, but Henok Goitom is still sidelined and Fabian Vargas is out with a long-term problem.