Both want to stop the trend

In La Liga, the final spurt in this season now begins after the international season. Some explosive duels are still on the agenda, one of which could be the midfield duel in Mallorca. The Mallorca vs. Osasuna prediction of the bookmakers points to an advantage for the hosts.

But before the shutout period, both were struggling, losing two out of three games. It is interesting to note that while this match is a meeting of two mid-table teams, at the same time both still have to look down. The gaps in the lower half of the table are very small. Mallorca go into this game as slight favourites.

In any case, two similar teams face each other, out of rhythm due to international matches and poor results before. Combined with home advantage, our Mallorca vs Osasuna tip is for the hosts not to lose but to score less than 3.5 goals.

Mallorca – Statistics & current form

RCD Mallorca are playing a rock solid season so far. However, the home side suffered a narrow defeat at Real Betis before the international break, losing 0:1, although it was actually a very typical game for coach Javier Aguirre’s team for a long time. On good days, Mallorca is characterised by its compactness, which has enabled it to reach the midfield of the La Liga table.

However, there have been four games in a row without a win and even four defeats in the last six games. This does not correspond to the standards that Mallorca has set for itself. Of course, the squad is not exactly set up to play for the European ranks, but lately the performances have generally been a bit thin.

Perhaps the international season has come at absolutely the right time for the Mallorcans. After only two goals in the last four games, the approaches should have been clear to coach Aguirre during the training week. Generally speaking, Mallorca’s attack is rarely in the mood to score, with 22 goals in 26 games so far.

Mallorca hope to build on decent home record

The flip side, of course, is that they have also only conceded 27 goals. The compactness helps the team, of course, especially when there is less momentum in the game forward. Mallorca often plays with a three- or five-man backline, which helps very well to keep the pitch compact, especially in the centre, and to leave few spaces open.

The home side’s record at home naturally gives them hope. Six of their nine victories have come at home, and Aguirre’s side have almost doubled their points tally here. 21 points at home are compared to eleven points away from home, which is definitely something to build on for this match against the visitors from Pamplona.

In general, the two teams are not dissimilar, which could make for a close game. Mallorca have the slight home advantage, which is why our prediction before the Mallorca vs. Osasuna match is that the home side will not lose and will score less than 3.5 goals in the process.

Last matches of Mallorca:

La Liga
19/03/2023 – Real Betis 1 – 0 Mallorca

12/03/2023 – Mallorca 1 – 1 Real Sociedad

05/03/2023 – Mallorca 0 – 1 Elche

25/02/2023 – Espanyol 2 – 1 Mallorca

19/02/2023 – Mallorca 4 – 2 FC Villarreal

Osasuna – Statistics & current form

Osasuna and Mallorca have a lot in common, that has already been hinted at. The guests have exactly the same number of goals scored and goals conceded, as well as the same number of wins. However, due to two more draws, the team from Pamplona is just ahead of the home side. Osasuna and Mallorca both still have to look down despite their good results so far.

The relegation battle in La Liga is very curious. Only eight points separate ninth place and the first relegation spot, and neither of these teams in this area has a catastrophic goal difference, the worst being -18. Until the end of the season, things could get particularly heated in the fight against the drop into the 2nd division. And Osasuna, too, have been a bit out of sorts in recent weeks.

The visitors have played three games in a row without a win, and the team has not even scored a goal. As mentioned, Osasuna are also lacking offensively at times and the team is most successful when they concede less than two goals. In the last nine games in the league, there has only been one win, that away at Sevilla FC.

Osasuna must rely on their good defence

So the trend is pointing a little downwards and has been for a while. The penultimate victory, however, was celebrated in the first leg against Mallorca, of all teams. A key to success or at least a point in the game in Mallorca will be the defence, which has already gone eight times without conceding a goal this season.

Both teams will probably initially try to prevent their respective opponents and not really take the initiative. In that respect, Javier Aguirre and Jagoba Arrasate are altogether too similar. Osasuna played Villarreal before the international phase, losing that match 3-0, so now they will have to show a marked improvement. Hopes are also pinned on striker Avila, who is his team’s top scorer with seven goals.

However, the visitors’ form in recent weeks has been somewhat worse than that of the home side. Therefore, before the match between Mallorca and Osasuna, our value tip is that the Mallorcans will win

Last games of Osasuna:

La Liga
19/03/2023 – Osasuna Pamplona 0 – 3 FC Villarreal

12/03/2023 – Valencia 1 – 0 Osasuna Pamplona

07/03/2023 – Osasuna Pamplona 0 – 0 Celta Vigo

Copa del Rey
02/03/2023 – Osasuna Pamplona 1 – 0 Athletic Bilbao

La Liga
27/02/2023 – Sevilla FC 2 – 3 Osasuna Pamplona

Mallorca – Osasuna Direct comparison / H2H balance

Both teams have faced each other in 67 matches. The overall record is very even. Mallorca won 22 games, 22 games ended in a draw and Osasuna won another 23 games. The first leg went to the team from Pamplona, who also have the slightly better record with two wins in their last five matches in the league.

Mallorca – Osasuna Tip

Mallorca have a good chance of taking something home against Osasuna, as the home side have so far picked up far more points at home than away. Nevertheless, they will have to improve their performance.

Both are characterised by an offensive that can be improved and a compact defence that only rarely causes any real problems. Taking all statistics into account, our tip before the match between Mallorca and Osasuna is that the hosts will not lose and that less than 3.5 goals will be scored.