Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Mallorca

Verdict: Antoine Griezmann to score anytime

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to mark their return from November’s international break with another La Liga statement, Atletico Madrid will welcome Mallorca to the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday night.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Atletico Madrid might have been disappointed after settling for a bronze medal finish last season, Diego Simeone’s side have their sights set on mounting a genuine title charge this time around. Last seen heading into November’s international break with an eye-catching 3-1 victory against Villarreal, the Colchoneros will be smelling the chance to make another La Liga statement here. Sat in pole position to extend on their Champions League adventure on November 7th as they cruised their way to a stellar 6-0 romp against Scottish icons Celtic, Atletico have lost just one of their last 12 appearances across all competitions. With their extended purple patch stemming all the way back to September 16th, Simeone’s side have also gained a reputation for their continued success on home soil. In fact, Saturday’s hosts have won each of their previous eight straight showdowns at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term muscle injury and not making a single appearance since the end of September, Atletico Madrid will once again be without Dutch international strike Memphis Depay on Saturday night. Likewise, former Monaco star Thomas Lemar is not expected to feature for the remainder of the season after sustaining an Achilles tendon blow.

Enjoying what has been a stellar free-scoring run this season and already bagging 12 goals across all competitions, Antoine Griezmann will once again have a leading role to play here. The French superstar will be joined in attack by Spain skipper Alvaro Morata.

Mallorca

As for the visitors, while Mallorca might have shocked many last season as they secured a top-half finish among Spain’s elite, the Pirates have come crashing back down to earth this time around. Heading into November’s international break with a toothless 2-0 loss at the hands of Real Betis, Javier Aguirre has mounting pressure on his shoulders. Marking their return from the fortnight interval at the heart of a La Liga relegation scrap, the Palma-based outfit have recorded just nine points from any of their first 12 top-flight appearances. Putting just a single La Liga victory on the board since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Mallorca should also be worried by their most recent showdown against Saturday’s hosts. Hit with a 3-1 drumming when they travelled to the Metropolitano Stadium back on April 26th, Aguirre’s struggling squad will be more than aware that they face another monumental challenge here.

Team News

Shown a first-half red card against Real Betis prior to November’s international break, Mallorca will be without 30-year-old Omar Mascarell on Saturday night. However, aside from the former Schalke midfielder, the Pirates have reported a clean bill of health heading into the weekend.

Notching four La Liga strikes this season, Kosovo international Vedat Muriqi will spearhead Aguirre’s attack here. Not making a single La Liga start since the end of September, 24-year-old Manu Morlanes could replace Mascarell in the middle of the park.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on April 26th, Atletico Madrid cruised their way to a 3-1 victory at the Metropolitano Stadium.
• Simeone’s side have won each of their previous eight straight showdowns in front of their own supporters.
• Mallorca have recorded just a single La Liga victory from their first 12 La Liga appearances this season.
• French superstar Antoine Griezmann has recorded 12 goals in his first 16 appearances across all formats so far this season.
• Mallorca have recorded just a single La Liga victory on their travels since way back on April 17th.

Conclusion

Continuing to gain a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil and winning each of their previous eight showdowns at the Metropolitano Stadium, there is no doubt that Atletico Madrid will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. With Mallorca in the midst of what has quickly become a major La Liga nightmare, the Pirates will know that they face a monumental challenge this weekend. Likewise, recording just a single domestic victory away from the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix since the middle of April, Griezmann and co will be looking to cash in on Aguirre’s relegation scrappers.

Verdict: Antoine Griezmann to score anytime

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet