Zinedine Zidane take his table-topping side to Mallorca on Saturday night with the aim of keeping their unbeaten start to the season in tact at the newly promoted side.
Real have been underwhelming and unconvincing more often than not especially on the European front, where Los Blancos are in danger of being dumped out of the Champions League at the Group Stage, after picking up just a single point from matches against PSG (3-0) and Club Brugge (2-2).
It’s a different story in the league however where, before the international break, Real Madrid cooked up a thrilling 4-2 victory at home to Granada, to maintain their grip at the top of the La Liga Santander.
However, the challenge before Zidane and his men this weekend is an unfamiliar foe in the shape of Mallorca – a team who they haven’t come up against since the 2012/13 campaign when they smashed in ten goals across both league fixtures.
Mallorca are 18th in the table having registered two wins, one draw and five defeats overall so far and Los Bermellones will be expected to put up a decent fight at Son Moix this Saturday.
The hosts have been extremely competitive in front of their own supporters where Vicente Moreno’s side have earned all their points so far, beating Espanyol (2-0), Eibar (2-1) and drawing with Athletic Bilbao (0-0) this term.
Les Merengues though will take heart from the defeats handed to Mallorca at Son Moix by Real Sociedad (0-1) and Atletico Madrid (0-2) and know that beating the home side is not mission impossible.
Team News
Mallorca
Fran Gamez is expected to get a start at left-back for Mallorca this weekend.
Antonio Raillo should be back fit and available at centre-back for the hosts.
Aleix Febas is expected to get the nod over Takefusa Kubo in midfield once again.
Real Madrid
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are both doubts after picking up knocks during the international break.
Isco and Fede Valverde are expected to start in midfield alongside Casemiro.
Marcelo is expected to start at left-back ahead of Ferland Mendy, while James Rodriguez could start on the right wing due to Gareth Bale picking up a minor calf complaint.
Match Facts
Real Madrid have scored at least 4 goals in their last 3 matches against Mallorca in all competitions.
Real Madrid have won their last 5 matches against Mallorca in all competitions.
Mallorca have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Mallorca’s last 4 home games (LaLiga).
Match Predictions
Real Madrid are undefeated at home or away and should have enough in the armoury to shoot down a Mallorca side that have failed to score in three of their five home matches and in five of their eight games overall this term.
Real Madrid are not blowing the league away with goals either and a slender winning margin is expected in a game that should be closely fought.
Tip: (Madrid to Win and Under 4.5 goals).
*Match Facts provided by whoscored.com.
