Our betting expert expects another victory and strong defensive performance from Real Madrid, who have yet to concede a goal this season.
Real Madrid vs Real Mallorca Betting Predictions
All odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Courtois to shut out the Islanders
In Real Madrid’s opening two games of the season, Thibaut Courtois spent large stretches as little more than a spectator in goal. He wasn’t required to make a single save against a cautious Osasuna side, while the Belgian was rarely tested in Asturias last weekend.
Dani Carvajal is back from injury, and Antonio Rudiger is available again following a six-game ban. Those factors have contributed to Los Blancos appearing much stronger defensively than during the final days of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign.
They seem capable of keeping another clean sheet here. Mallorca averaged only 0.92 goals per 90 minutes last term in La Liga. While the aerial prowess of their frontman Vedat Muriqi remains a concern, it's hard to see him getting much service in this fixture.
- Real Madrid vs Real Mallorca Prediction 1:Real Madrid to win to nil @ 17/20 on bet365
Visitors to keep the score down
Mallorca’s main strength lies in their defensive organisation. They are likely to start with an extra centre-back in this game, with Marash Kumbulla potentially coming in to support Antonio Raillo and Martin Valjent. Those two share a strong understanding, while their goalkeeper Leo Roman saved an impressive 81.6% of the shots he faced in La Liga last term.
That may not be enough for them to come away with a result here, but they could at least frustrate their hosts. Real Madrid are clearly in a state of transition, as Alonso is trying to implement his ideas, and they’ve not hit top gear yet.
We saw some encouraging attacking glimpses when Vinicius Junior came on in Oviedo last Sunday. However, Real created less than 1.00 xG from open play in their first home game, and appear unlikely to completely dominate the fixture.
- Real Madrid vs Real Mallorca Prediction 2: Under 2.5 goals @ 11/8 on bet365
Mbappe to strike first again
One major positive for Real Madrid so far is that Kylian Mbappe has been sharp from the start, despite only going through a brief pre-season.
The Frenchman has scored three of his team’s four goals, including the opener in both of their matches. That continues the upward trajectory he has been on since a difficult start to his time in the Spanish capital.
Averaging a goal every 91 minutes in his La Liga career to date, Mbappe is comfortably the most likely candidate to score first in this game.
Madridistas would have been delighted to see him link up with Vinicius for his second goal at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere. If those two manage to build a stronger understanding under new management, Mbappe could surpass the 31-goal haul from his debut season in the Primera Division.
- Real Madrid vs Real Mallorca Prediction 3: Kylian Mbappe to score first @ 19/10 on bet365