Real Mallorca vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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We have a new look Real Mallorca with a new manager, Jago Arrasate, at the helm in the Balearic Islands as they welcome the Spanish and European champions to Palma de Mallorca on the opening day with Real Madrid coming to town.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 18th August, 2024 - UK – 8:30pm / US ET – 3:30pm / US PT – 12:30pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports & ITV / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Mallorca vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports & ITVX / US – ESPN+
REAL MALLORCA PREVIEW: REACHING A NEW LEVEL
Javier Aguirre, who has now been appointed as manager of Mexico ahead of their co-hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, guided Real Mallorca to the final of Copa del Rey last season as well as back-to-back finishes well clear of relegation in La Liga but his defensive style of football generally held them back and he has been replaced by former Osasuna boss Jago Arrasate.
Jago Arrasate is not necessarily and overly attacking coach but definitely more proactive and possession-based than Javier Aguirre. He led Osasuna to UEFA Europa Conference League qualification just a couple of seasons ago and the Balearic Islanders will be ambitiously looking to replicate that.
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: GALACTICOS 2.0
With Kylian Mbappe finally brought into the Bernabeu, alongside Endrick from Palmeiras, this Real Madrid side have a ‘galacticos’ feel but they will believe and hope they also have the correct tactical balance that the original ‘galacticos’ didn’t have as Los Blancos aim to continue to hoover up silverware.
They have started their season by winning the first of seven trophies on offer as they defeated Atalanta by two goals to nil in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw in midweek with Mbappe scoring his first competitive goal for the club, assisted by Jude Bellingham, with the pair making up a thrilling front four alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
REAL MALLORCA TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT MALLORCA
Jago Arrasate preferred a back five quite often at Osasuna and the Real Mallorca squad has been designed in the image of Javier Aguirre with his preference for a back five with wing-backs pretty much a permanent one.
Jago Arrasate had Johan Mojica on loan from Villarreal last season at Osasuna and the Colombian full-back has joined him in Mallorca so he should make his debut for the club.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Greif; Van der Heyden, Antonio Raillo, Giovanni Gonzalez; Pablo Maffeo, Omar Mascarell, Dani Rodriguez, Johan Mojica; Sergi Darder; Muriqi, Asano
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: THE CAMAVINGA INJURY
In the build-up to the UEFA Super Cup, France international midfielder Eduardo Camavinga went down in training and it has been confirmed that he will be unavailable until at least October with David Alaba also yet to return from his ACL injury.
Carlo Ancelotti has discussed the tactical tweaks to the Madrid side this season with no Toni Kroos and the addition of Kylian Mbappe and the expectation is they become more vertical and a bit more front foot and quicker on the ball.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE: Alaba (Injured), Camavinga (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MALLORCA VS REAL MADRID PREDICTION
Jago Arrasate has a history of getting his teams to put in resolute performances that make them difficult to play against against the very top teams in Spain but this does appear to be a step up. For Kylian Mbappe’s debut, there is no better spot than in the Balearic Islands and it is still a honeymoon period for the France captain with him no doubt itching to get off the mark in the league. Madrid should win but it may not be a hammering against a stubborn Mallorca side.
REAL MALLORCA VS REAL MADRID TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
