Prediction: Real Madrid vs Mallorca

Verdict: Real Madrid win to nil

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Bet365

Finding a route back to the top of the La Liga table, Real Madrid will look to extend on their recent purple patch when they welcome Mallorca to the capital on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, watching Barcelona drop what could be two crucial points against Sevilla last week, Los Blancos have found a route back to the top of the table and the mood in their camp should be at a high. Putting in an eye-catching display away at Champions League chasers Real Sociedad on Sunday night, Los Blancos have won each of their three contests since returning from the enforced break. With that run highlighted by a 3-0 romp against Valencia at their new temporary home in the form of the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, Head Coach Zinedine Zidane has seen his side continue to save their best La Liga performances for the Spanish capital. Including a stunning 2-0 win against Barcelona back in March, the former European champions are unbeaten in any top-flight contest on home soil this season, collecting 37 points out of a possible 45. If Madrid are to move one step closer to reclaiming their title for the first time since 2017, Zidane will be calling on leading marksman Karim Benzema to lead their charge in midweek. Once again finding the net at the Reale Arena on Sunday, the Frenchman has bagged three goals in as many appearances since returning from the break.

Team News

After not being called upon at the Reale Arena over the weekend, former Chelsea star Eden Hazard is expected to be recalled to Zidane’s starting XI in midweek.

Sadly for Madrid, Los Blancos will be without both Sergio Ramos due to a knee injury and Casemiro who will serve a suspension on Wednesday night.

Mallorca

As for the visitors, while Los Blancos might find themselves in a battle at the top of the La Liga standings, Mallorca find themselves in a completely opposite situation. Throwing away the lead late on against fellow relegation scrappers Leganes in what was billed as a must-win encounter for Vicente Moreno’s men, they had to settle for a point and still find themselves stuck in the bottom-three. Opening the midweek fixtures sat three points adrift of safety and in pole position to be hit with an immediate Segunda return, the Reds have managed to collect just a single point out of a possible nine since returning from the enforced break. With that run highlighted by a 4-0 drumming against Barcelona when returning to action, there is no doubt that Moreno will be most concerned by his side’s continued issues away from the Iberostar Estadi. Hit with a 1-0 defeat away at Villarreal in their last contest on the road, Wednesday’s guests have managed to land just a single La Liga away victory since marking their top-flight return last summer. Collecting just five points out of a possible 42 on their travels this season, Mallorca also hold the worst away record of any side in Spain’s top-tier.

Team News

Mallorca have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to worry about ahead of their trip to the capital in midweek.

Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo is set to line up against his parent club in midweek and will be looking to catch Zidane’s eye.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Mallorca picked up what was a famous 1-0 win at the Iberostar Estadi.
• However, Wednesday’s guests have failed to win a contest in the Spanish capital since 2008.
• Collecting just five away points all season, Mallorca hold the worst away day record of any side in La Liga.
• Madrid striker Karim Benzema has bagged three La Liga goals since returning from the enforced break.
• Los Blancos are unbeaten in the Spanish capital on La Liga duties this season, collecting 37 points out of a possible 45.

Conclusion

While Mallorca may have managed to land a stunning 1-0 win when they faced off against Madrid earlier in the season, it is almost impossible to see another upset in midweek. With Wednesday’s guests holding the worst away record of any La Liga side and collecting just five points on the road since making their top-flight return, the relegation scrappers will be in for a long night’s work in the Spanish capital. With Los Blancos continuing to shine while on domestic duties on home soil, we’re backing the title contenders to extend on what has been a glittering return to action.

Verdict: Real Madrid win to nil

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Bet365