La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Mallorca

Posted on | November 8, 2007 | No Comments

La Liga leaders Real Madrid go into this game just one point in front of Barcelona, and need a win to continue their impressive start to the season. Their pride was dented a little last weekend in the two goals to nil defeat at the hands of Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, but it wasn’t all that much of a surprise. Games at Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium however, need to be won, and won well. Real’s football of late hasn’t been amazing. Apart from that five one away win to Valencia (where Valencia did all they could to make Real Madrid look good) the Meringues aren’t playing the attractive football their fans demand. On the other hand they are getting the results. They have now lost just two matches this season in all competitions and look set to notch up another win here against Mallorca. Or are they?

Mallorca won’t be traveling to the Bernabeu stadium like lambs to the slaughter. They know full well what it feels like to win there, although that was when Cameroon ace Samuel Eto’o was still a Mallorca player. In their last three visits Mallorca have notched up three defeats, conceding ten goals and scoring just two. A long time has passed since that famous five one victory (actually just four years) but there are one or two players who can still remember.

In midweek Madrid drew nil-nil against Olympiacos in Greece which shows how strong their defense is getting. Sergio Ramos, who misses the Mallorca game owing to another sending off against Sevilla, could well turn into a world class player so long as he learns to control his tackles better, will probably be substituted by Michael Salgado at right back, but Cannavaro and Heinze look set to repeat after their excellent performances in recent matches.

The big doubt remains Guti in midfield. He was definitely missed in the Champions league match and even coach Bernd Schuster admitted it. Even so, Real Madrid at home is a formidable sight and well worth betting on to win this. They have an excellent track record at home this season with five wins from five and I can’t see this changing.

Mallorca lost their last league match by two goals to nil against Valencia but were superior.

I’m going for a Madrid win here but they will probably suffer more than they would like.

Prediction: Home win (3-2)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Mallorca vs. Real Madrid
2. La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Mallorca
3. La Liga: Mallorca vs. Atlético Madrid
4. La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
5. La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Murcia

Comments