Atletico Madrid is set to host Mallorca in a La Liga matchup this Sunday afternoon. The fixture promises to be significant for both teams as they navigate the top tier of Spanish football.
Current Standings and Recent Performance
Atletico Madrid is positioned fourth in La Liga, tied on points with Villarreal, who sit in third place. The Red and Whites have achieved 12 wins, five draws, and three defeats this season, accumulating 41 points. They trail Barcelona, who lead La Liga by eight points.
In their latest outing, Atletico secured a 1-0 victory against Alaves in the league. However, their recent Champions League match ended in a 1-1 draw with Galatasaray.
Impressive Home Record
Atletico boasts an impressive home record, with 28 points earned from 10 matches. This strong performance at home puts them in a favorable position as they prepare to face Mallorca.
Mallorca’s Struggles in the League
On the other hand, Mallorca currently sits in 15th place, just two points above the relegation zone. Their season statistics include five wins, six draws, and nine losses, totaling 21 points. The Pirates’ away form has been particularly troubling, with only one victory in ten attempts, resulting in just five points.
In a surprising turn, Mallorca recently achieved a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao, marking their first league win since December 13.
Historical Context
Historically, Mallorca has struggled against Atletico Madrid, winning only 18 of their last 66 encounters. In their previous clash this season, the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Notably, Mallorca won 2-1 in Madrid during the 2021-22 campaign, highlighting their potential to surprise.
Team News and Expected Lineups
- Atletico Madrid: Clement Lenglet is sidelined due to injury, though other key players, such as Nico Gonzalez, are returning to fitness.
- Expected Formation: Oblak; Llorente, Hancko, Pubill, Ruggeri; Simeone, Cardoso, Barrios, Baena; Sorloth, Alvarez.
- Mallorca: Manu Morlanes, Marash Kumbulla, and Toni Lato are under fitness scrutiny as the match approaches.
- Key Player: Vedat Muriqi, who has netted 14 goals in 19 appearances this season, is crucial for Mallorca’s attack.
- Expected Formation: Roman; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Sanchez, Mascarell, Costa, Darder; Virgili, Muriqi.
Match Prediction
Considering Atletico’s solid home performance and Mallorca’s inconsistencies away, the prediction leans towards a victory for the home side. A scoreline of 2-0 in favor of Atletico Madrid is anticipated.
