Atletico Madrid vs RCD Mallorca: Preview and Prediction

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will look to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host sixth-placed RCD Mallorca at Estadio Metropolitano on Saturday.

With Real Madrid taking up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga, rivals Atletico Madrid cannot really afford to drop any more points when they take on RCD Mallorca. Los Rojiblancos will be looking to get things back on track when they host the sixth-placed side at the Metropolitano on Saturday evening.

The home team had clinched the top spot in La Liga on the back of an incredible run of 15 wins in a row across competitions. But, the run came to an end on the 18th of January when they lost to Leganes. They followed it up with a draw against Villarreal.

The two disappointing results have seen them drop down to the second spot in La Liga. Atletico Madrid cannot really afford any more slip-ups, and they will be hoping to build on their 4-1 win against Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League last time out.

Mallorca certainly had an impressive first half of the season, but things have not been that great for them of late as they have lost three out of their last five league fixtures. The visitors are currently sixth on the points table, and they will have to return to winning ways to ensure they remain in the race for a European spot.

Jagoba Arrasate’s men are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis, and they will have to put up a much better performance to stand a chance against Atletico Madrid. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Atletico Madrid

Javi Galan is back available after serving a suspension last time out, while Rodrigo De Paul is suspended for this one. Clement Lenglet, who missed their last league game because of an injury, is also back in the mix.

Atletico Madrid will line up in a 4-4-2 formation against RCD Mallorca, with Jan Oblak in goal. Marcos Llorente and Javi Galan will be the full-backs, while Jose Gimenez should partner Lenglet in the heart of the defence.

The back four will receive significant support from the four-man midfield in front of them. Guiliano Simeone should continue on the right flank, while Conor Gallagher should feature on the left. Pablo Barrios and Koke should take up a more central role. In the final third, Antoine Griezmann should continue alongside Julian Alvarez.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez

Atletico Madrid vs RCD Mallorca Predicted XI

RCD Mallorca

The visitors will be without the services of Valery and Manu Morlanes because of injury. Meanwhile, Omar Mascarell is suspended following a straight red card in their last outing. Ivan Cuellar is back in the mix after serving a suspension last time out.

RCD Mallorca will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Atletico Madrid, with Dominik Greif in goal. Pablo Maffeo and Johan Mojica will be the full-backs, while Jose Manuel Copete will partner with Antonio Jose Raillo Arenas in central defence.

Antonio Sanchez will replace the suspended Mascarell in the centre of the park. He will feature alongside Samu Costa. The duo will look to ensure Atletico Madrid do not end up dominating the proceedings.

Robert Navarro and Sergi Darder will feature on the flanks providing width to their attacks. Dani Rodriguez will feature as the attacking midfielder, while Cyle Larin lead the line for RCD Mallorca against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Greif; Maffeo, Raillo, Copete, Mojica; Antonio Sanchez, Costa; Navarro, Dani Rodriguez, Darder; Larin

Atletico Madrid vs RCD Mallorca Predicted XI

Key Stats

  • RCD Mallorca have lost their last four games across competitions.
  • Los Rojiblancos have been unbeaten at home this season, picking up 27 points from 11 matches.
  • Meanwhile, Mallorca have lost five out of their 10 games on the road.
  • Atletico Madrid have won each of their last four outings against the away team.
  • The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favour of Diego Simeone’s team.

Player to Watch

Guiliano Simeone

Embed from Getty Images

Guiliano Simeone is certainly enjoying life under his father. The 22-year-old has established himself as a key figure in their first-team with consistent performances. He has a total of six goal contributions in the ongoing campaign. The youngster bagged a goal and an assist in their last outing and given the kind of form he has been in, Simeone can certainly have a big say on the result in this fixture.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid 2-0 RCD Mallorca

Los Rojiblancos might have dropped points in their last two La Liga games, but they still remain one of the most in-form teams in Europe. Atletico Madrid put up a solid display against Red Bull Salzburg last time out, and they will be looking for something similar against RCD Mallorca.

The visitors certainly had an impressive start to their La Liga campaign, but they have not been at their best of late and might struggle against a star-studded Atletico Madrid team. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Diego Simeone’s team.

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