Prediction: Mallorca vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Real Madrid over 1.75 goals

Best odds: 2.28

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Real Madrid hopes to win again in Mallorca and move one step closer to clinching their 36th league championship crown. The game scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Mallorca’s Son Moix Stadium will provide the league leaders with yet another challenging away test.

Mallorca

Mallorca had a fantastic season so far, but they fell short to Athletic Bilbao on penalties on Saturday night in the King’s Cup final, missing the opportunity to win the 2nd Copa del Rey. Even though Bilbao had the upper hand, Mallorca demonstrated their ability to hold back against a top club with deft positioning and tactical acumen that will even test Real Madrid’s resolve.

Mallorca, who are currently six points from relegation in 15th position in the division, are not quite at peace with their situation. Javier Aguirre’s team needs a strong performance against Real Madrid to stay out of the red zone of the standings with eight matches remaining.

However, with a winning record of five victories, seven draws, and three losses in La Liga, Mallorca is a formidable opponent at their Son Moix Stadium. The only opponents to defeat Javier Aguirre’s club at home are Villarreal, Betis, and Real Sociedad, following challenging contests that resulted in close victories for the visitors.

The Pirates must also earn points from away games to stay out of the relegation zone at the end of the season due to a brutal schedule that includes challenging matchups against strong opponents like Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas, Getafe, and Sevilla.

Team News

Goalkeeper Pefrag Rajkovic is serving a match ban and will not play against Real Madrid. Dominik Greif will take his place hoping to stop the many expected chances created by Real Madrid’s attacking players.

Javier Aguirre will try to replicate the game plan had against Bilbao with a strong defensive line-up that can hit on the break.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid is getting close to winning its 36th league title, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team needs to defeat Mallorca to get closer to regaining the championship trophy lost to rival Barcelona the previous year.

A thrilling Champions League match against Manchester City was the ideal warm-up for Madrid’s demanding trip to Mallorca, even though La Liga matches were postponed due to the King’s Cup final.

Many goals were scored and turnovers were made in the blockbuster match at the Bernabeu in front of the Citizens. Nevertheless, despite their remarkable comeback thanks to a goal from Valverde that made the score an unlikely 3-3, Madrid’s defence displayed holes that Mallorca plans to take advantage of.

Real Madrid is the best team in La Liga when playing away from home, having only lost 3-1 to their bitter rivals Atletico Madrid this season. However, with rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid falling well short of expectations, the Ancelloti-coached club has not faced a formidable opponent in this year’s title fight.

With eight games remaining and an eight-point advantage in the title, Real Madrid’s only real tough test left in La Liga appears to be the matchup with Barcelona at the Bernabeu. Therefore, Carlo Ancelotti will most likely rest his key players for the quarterfinal rematch against Manchester City, given the likelihood of next week’s tricky test at Etihad Stadium.

Team News

David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois are the only unavailable players to travel to Palma de Mallorca. We can expect changes in Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup, with the recently acclaimed most successful Champions League manager, having his eyes set on Wednesday’s Etihad return game against Manchester City.

Key factors to consider

• Mallorca is strong at home having an impressive record of 5 wins, 7 draws and 3 defeats
• The hosts suffered a big disappointment last Saturday night when they failed to edge Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final, losing in the end at the penalty shootout
• Mallorca narrowly defeated Real Madrid in last season’s Son Moix Stadium (1-0)
• Real Madrid are cruising in La Liga, heading towards their 36th champions title
• The Meringues played a blockbuster Champions League game this midweek at the Bernabeu against Manchester City (3-3 final score)
• The visitors defeated Osasuna in the last outing with a convincing performance (2-4 final score)

Conclusion

Real Madrid is heading to Palma de Mallorca for another difficult test against Javier Aguirre’s side. However, despite the expected lineup changes, the recent La Liga leader’s displays hint at a minimum of two goals scored in Mallorca’s net.

Verdict: Real Madrid over 1.75 goals

Best odds: 2.28

Bookmaker: ZetBet