Athletic Club Vs Mallorca

Athletic Bilbao will be determined to recover from back-to-back losses as they resume their La Liga campaign with a crucial home encounter against Mallorca on Sunday evening. The Basque club suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid in league action last weekend before enduring a 2-1 loss to Roma in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday. Meanwhile, their upcoming opponents, Mallorca, will enter the fixture following a 1-1 draw with Alaves in Spain’s top division.

The past week has been a challenging period for Athletic Bilbao, as their impressive unbeaten run in La Liga came to an end with a loss against Atletico Madrid on March 1. This result was followed by another setback in European competition against Roma, putting the team in a difficult situation as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League tie at San Mames. While they remain in contention for advancement, their focus will momentarily shift back to domestic responsibilities, where they are battling to maintain their position within the top four of the La Liga standings.

Despite these setbacks, Athletic’s overall league campaign has been impressive. They currently occupy fourth place in the table with 48 points, a position that, if maintained, would secure them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. However, their hold on this position is far from secure, as Villarreal, who sit in fifth place, are just four points behind with a game in hand. This means that any further slip-ups could significantly complicate Athletic's bid to return to Europe’s elite club competition. Their recent defeat to Atletico Madrid was particularly frustrating, as they had not lost a league match since early October before that encounter. In that game, a solitary second-half goal from Julian Alvarez proved to be the difference, leaving Ernesto Valverde’s side with no points to show for their efforts.

Although the loss to Atletico was a setback, Athletic can still take pride in their performance throughout the season. They have accumulated 48 points and trail third-placed Real Madrid by just six points. Given their current trajectory, they remain in a strong position to achieve their objectives. One of the key factors contributing to their success has been their formidable home form. Throughout the 2024-25 campaign, Athletic have registered 28 points from their 13 home league matches, making San Mames one of the most challenging venues for opposing teams in La Liga. This should provide them with a significant boost as they look to return to winning ways against Mallorca.

Mallorca, on the other hand, come into this contest with a sense of optimism despite their struggles in front of goal. Their most recent match saw them play out a 1-1 draw against Alaves, a result that extended their unbeaten streak in La Liga to four matches. However, despite this positive run of form, they have only managed to secure one victory during that period, which highlights some of their ongoing issues. Under the guidance of head coach Jagoba Arrasate, the team has made significant progress this season and remains firmly in the race for European qualification. Currently sitting in eighth place in the standings, Mallorca are just two points behind sixth-placed Real Betis, with both teams having played the same number of games (26).

One of Mallorca’s most significant concerns this season has been their lack of goals. With only 25 goals scored in La Liga so far, they have struggled to consistently find the back of the net. However, their defensive solidity has been a crucial factor in their ability to compete at a high level. They have conceded only 32 goals this season, which is a respectable record considering that it is just seven more than both Real Madrid and Barcelona. This defensive resilience has been instrumental in keeping them in contention for a place in European competition next season. Compared to their previous campaign, when they finished 15th in the table, Mallorca have shown considerable improvement and are on course for a much stronger finish this time around.

Another aspect that has played in Mallorca’s favor is their ability to secure results away from home. They have managed to win five of their 12 away league fixtures this season, which is an impressive return for a side that has traditionally struggled on the road. This suggests that they will not be an easy opponent for Athletic Bilbao, particularly given their recent form. Historically, matches between these two sides have been closely contested, with four of their last five La Liga encounters ending in draws. Earlier this season, the teams played out a goalless stalemate, while last season, Athletic secured a dominant 4-0 victory in the corresponding fixture at San Mames.

For Athletic Bilbao, this match represents a critical opportunity to regain momentum and solidify their position in the top four. While their recent defeats have been disappointing, their performances throughout the campaign have demonstrated that they are capable of competing at a high level. With home advantage on their side and a squad eager to bounce back from recent setbacks, they will be determined to claim all three points against Mallorca. Meanwhile, their opponents will be looking to continue their positive run of form and boost their chances of securing European qualification.

The battle for Champions League qualification is heating up, and Athletic Bilbao will be aware that any further dropped points could prove costly in the long run. With Villarreal breathing down their necks, maintaining their advantage in the standings is paramount. A victory against Mallorca would not only help them stay ahead of their rivals but also serve as a confidence boost ahead of their crucial second-leg clash against Roma in the Europa League.

Mallorca, on the other hand, will approach this match with the belief that they can cause an upset. Their defensive solidity has made them a tough side to break down, and if they can capitalize on their chances, they could pose a real threat to Athletic. While they have struggled for goals this season, their ability to grind out results has kept them in the mix for European qualification. If they can maintain their defensive discipline and take advantage of any lapses from Athletic, they may be able to secure a valuable result at San Mames.

Ultimately, this match promises to be a compelling contest between two teams with contrasting ambitions but a shared desire for success. Athletic Bilbao will be eager to put their recent disappointments behind them and reinforce their position in the top four, while Mallorca will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run and enhance their European aspirations. With so much at stake for both sides, fans can expect an intense and closely contested encounter on Sunday evening.