Valencia 1 - 1 Mallorca

Mata realistic over title hopes

Updated: November 27, 2009, 12:59 PM UK

Valencia winger Juan Mata insists he and his team-mates are refusing to entertain thoughts of a title bid despite their strong start to the Primera Division campaign.

Los Che are up to fourth place in La Liga on the back of one defeat in 11 games and a run of four wins on the spin, the most recent a 3-1 triumph at Osasuna last weekend.

Unai Emery's troops have won seven times this season to sit four points off the pace of leaders Real Madrid, yet Mata is determined to keep expectations in check ahead of the game with Real Mallorca at the Mestalla.

"We're aware we have to be realistic,'' said the 21-year-old Spain international.

"We're in a good situation with a great start of the season, but there's still another half of the championship to go and it's always difficult to keep that consistency.

"It's still too early to talk about winning La Liga. The target of the team is trying to win at the end of the season.''

This weekend's opponents Mallorca looked set to relinquish their 100% home record last weekend but secured a sixth straight league win at Son Moix thanks to two late goals in a 3-1 victory over Almeria.

The win saw the islanders consolidate sixth place in the table but they will now be keen to improve their away form.

Gregorio Manzano's side have lost three and tied two on the road so far this season, and that record will be difficult to improve on.

Mata is all too aware of Mallorca's difficulties on the road but has warned Valencia's performance level must not tail off against a side desperate to alleviate some of the gloom surrounding their away form.

"Our next rival, Mallorca, has had a great start to the league and are well up the standings,'' Mata continued. "We know their strong point is home matches but they want to improve away. I'm sure they'll come to win.''

A win could vault Valencia into the thick of the title battle should Madrid and Barcelona share the points in this weekend's 'El Clasico' encounter, and Mata will be watching events at the Nou Camp on Sunday with interest.

"A good result for us would be a draw between Barca and Real,'' he said. "If we defeat Mallorca, we'd be closer in the standings.''

The hosts have been boosted by the return of Manuel Fernandes and David Silva for this weekend's game although Angel Dealbert is an injury doubt.

Mallorca coach Manzano will be without the injured Fernando Varela but otherwise will have a full-strength squad to choose from for the short hop to the Spanish mainland's east coast.