Real Madrid welcome Mallorca to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday night looking to consolidate their lead at the top of La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s side stretched their unbeaten run to 11 matches with a mid-week Champions League win over Braga, while the visitors arrive in the capital winless in four and just five points clear of the drop zone.
Expected line-ups
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Fran García; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.
Mallorca (5-4-1): Rajković; González, Valjent, Raíllo, Copete, Lato; Muriqi, Darder, Morlanes, Dani Rodríguez; Muriqi.
Key battles
Jude Bellingham has 10 league goals in 11 appearances and will again operate between the lines; Mallorca’s veteran captain Antonio Raíllo must decide whether to step out and engage him or hold a deeper block. At the other end, Vedat Muriqi’s aerial threat (4.3 aerial wins per 90) gives Mallorca a release valve, but with David Alaba and Éder Militao still injured, Rüdiger and Nacho have dominated crosses this season (62 % success rate in defensive aerial duels).
Tactical trends
Real Madrid average 64 % possession at home and have scored 19 of their 24 league goals in the second half, often wearing opponents down before striking. Mallorca, conversely, have scored first in only three fixtures; once behind, they manage just 0.35 xG per 90, the league’s worst. Jagoba Arrasate’s side will sit in a compact 5-4-1, hoping to frustrate, yet their expected goals against away from home (1.82 per match) suggests the dam will break eventually.
Numbers that matter
– Real have won their last eight league meetings with Mallorca, scoring 2.6 goals on average.
– Mallorca have failed to score in six of their last eight away games.
– Los Blancos are unbeaten in 31 home league matches (W26 D5) since April 2022.
Injury watch
Ancelotti remains without Courtois, Militao, Alaba and Vinícius Jr, but the Brazilian winger could return to the squad. Mallorca will check on defender Copete after he limped off versus Almería.
Prediction
Mallorca’s deep block can delay the inevitable, yet Madrid’s depth, form and second-half surge should prove decisive. Expect a controlled 3-0 victory for the hosts, with Bellingham, Rodrygo and Joselu on the scoresheet.
