Atletico work win in Mallorca?
Atletico Madrid won the showdown for fourth place with Athletic Bilbao last weekend and took a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League, but the Rojiblancos will not want to spoil their good starting position on matchday 34. A win at relegation candidates Mallorca is needed to avoid having to tremble for the top flight after all
The Mallorcans need the points to avoid relegation and could also take a big step towards avoiding relegation, as rivals Cadiz are not only six points behind in 18th place, but also host Real Madrid this weekend. Although Atletico are of course the favourites, as the odds of the bookmakers with a German license reveal for Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid, the visitors’ three-man is certainly not a safe bet
In view of Atletico’s recent performances away from home, the Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid prediction is not a foregone conclusion.
In this preview, we take a closer look at this pairing and analyze the form of both clubs, the direct comparison and look at recommended tips. We look at all of this in this Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid preview, including predictions and team checks for both clubs
Mallorca – Statistics & current form
Salvation is not far away for RCD Mallorca. The sixteenth-placed side are six points clear of Cadiz in the relegation zone. Mallorca drew 1-1 with FC Cadiz in their head-to-head clash last week, keeping the Andalusians at bay and securing an important point for the Mallorcans that could even have ended in a win had it not been for Omar Mascarell’s own goal.
But the draw was also worth its weight in gold, as Cadiz host Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu this matchday. Although Mallorca have now not won in four games, they keep picking up important points against relegation by drawing. Mallorca have already secured a whopping 14 draws, no LaLiga team has drawn more often
Mallorca’s home games are rarely entertaining goal festivals
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, are the team with the fewest draws (4), but the tie is not unlikely. Betting on Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid – whether at half-time or after 90 minutes – can be worthwhile. Atletico’s poor away record (more on this in the section Atletico Madrid – statistics and current form) makes sure of that.
In any case, we expect a tough tussle, as Mallorca score few goals at home and concede few (13 goals scored at home, 14 conceded). In twelve of Mallorca’s 16 home games, less than 2.5 goals were scored, and in nine home games even less than 1.5 goals. In view of this record, it can’t hurt to look at the odds for under goals in Mallorca v Atletico Madrid. Once again, we don’t expect a goal festival in this match.
Predicted Mallorca line-up:
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
On the other hand, games involving Atletico often have entertainment value – more than coach Diego Simeone would like. The defensive fanatic rarely gets his team stabilized in defence. Atletico have only kept a clean sheet once in their last ten league games.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak has only kept a clean sheet in twelve of his 33 games in all competitions this season. As a result, things are not going well away from home. Atleti have won only five of their 16 away games and have already lost eight. Their recent form at their opponents’ grounds has been particularly disastrous: Atletico have won just two of their last ten away games in La Liga!
Atletico Madrid have Champions League qualification in their sights
However, the 3:1 home win in the direct duel with rivals Athletic Bilbao ensures that Atletico are back on course to qualify for the Champions League. Simeone’s side now have a six-point lead over fifth-placed Bilbao. However, a loss of points in Mallorca would potentially tear down the lead they have just extended – should Bilbao win at Getafe on Friday.
Meanwhile, anyone who believes that Atletico will follow up their big point against the Basques with a win on Mallorca will find exciting betting odds of around 2.20 on the visitors’ treble at Mallorca v Atletico Madrid – not bad value. But the principle also applies: Beware of Atletico Madrid playing away from home.
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Mallorca – Atletico Madrid head-to-head comparison / H2H record
A look at the head-to-head comparison shows that Atletico have had their difficulties with the Mallorcans recently. They have lost four of their last ten games and drawn two. Atletico have won four games, including the last two. In the first half of the season, Atletico won 1-0 in November – a result that would not come as a big surprise on Saturday. Incidentally, Atleti have lost both of their last two games on Mallorca 0:1.
The two clubs have met 60 times in Spanish soccer, with the overall record in this clash so far being 29 wins for Atletico, 17 for Mallorca and 14 draws
Mallorca – Atletico Madrid betting tip
The last two games on Mallorca were both lost 1-0, and Atletico Madrid will be desperate to avoid another away defeat. The Rojiblancos were already caught off guard by a relegation candidate in their 2-0 defeat at Deportivo Alaves two weeks ago. And they suffered the same embarrassing result in Cadiz. Given Atletico’s away record and recent performances in away games, there is always a certain amount of risk in betting on Simeone’s side to win away from home
However, the odds ensure that this risk can pay off. The 3:1 win in the showdown for fourth place against Bilbao should give the capital team the confidence they need to finally get another important three-pointer away from home. Mallorca have also been without a win for four games.
We therefore also believe that the Rojiblancos will improve their performance away from home and win on the road. Therefore, our Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid betting tip is: Atletico win and Under 3.5.
