Real Madrid vs Mallorca Prediction & Betting Tips (9 January)

Coming from nowhere, Real Madrid regained the lead in the Spanish championship last Friday by beating Valencia, at Mestalla, in a poster, as often, an anthology and full of twists and turns and especially ten against eleven after the expulsion of Vinicius Jr ten minutes from the end of the game. As so often with the Merengue, the decision was made in the last minutes, through Luka Modric on a cake from Bellingham and a saving goal from Bellingoal in stoppage time, while the latter had missed a penalty obtained by Mbappé earlier in the 2nd period. Let us remember, however, that the madridistas were no less than nine lengths behind the Barcelona side after their heavy defeat during the Clasico in October 0-4. Already crowned twice this season with the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, Real Madrid will make this trip to Arabia a few days after their 16th final of the Copa del Rey on the lawn of Deportiva Mineira, resident of the 4th Iberian division to follow. Opposite, we find not only the surprising 6th in LaLiga, but the finalist of the last edition of the Copa del Rey, RCD Mallorca.

Often expected as a competitor at the bottom of the table, Mallorca, under the leadership of Arrasate, is doing much better and is allowing itself to jostle in the race for Europe with Villarreal, Real Sociedad and others. Furthermore, it is always good to remember that the Mallorcans had hampered Mbappé's debut in La Liga, during the first day with a 1-1 points share. Like Sevilla FC, Mallorca, on the other hand, saw its adventure in the Copa del Rey come to an early end following its consequent defeat on the lawn of Pontevedra last weekend 3-0. The residents of La Palma had however finished 2024 in style by beating Girona at home 2-1, and Getafe on the road 0-1.

Preserved in the Copa del Rey on Monday evening, Kylian Mbappé (14 goals in total with Real Madrid this season) should this time start in Ancelotti's eleven just like Bellingham, Courtois, Rüdiger, Rodrygo and Vinicius. Announced to return for this competition, the long-term injured Alaba still remains uncertain after missing the trip to the Copa del Rey on Monday evening. Defenders Carvajal, Militao and Joan Martinez (cruciate ligaments on the menu for all three players) will be out until the end of the 2024-25 campaign. During the trip to Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey, the major elements like Raillo (central defender) and Samu Costa were not on the trip in the same way as the unimportant Llabres and Luna (choice).

If Rillo should be in the mix this evening, midfielder Samu Costa is uncertain while the other two will not play. Kosovar striker Muriqi (3 goals, 2 assists in La Liga) will be well operational, having scored against Real Madrid in the league this season. Canadian striker Cyle Larin (5 pawns, 2 goals in La Liga) is the most dangerous threat for the RCD but be careful not to neglect the replacement Prats, or the Japanese Asano (ex-Bochum).