Atl. Madrid Vs Mallorca

Atletico Madrid will be eager to get back to winning ways in Spain's La Liga when they face Mallorca at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday evening. Diego Simeone's side, currently sitting in second place in the league, are trailing Real Madrid by four points, with both teams having played the same number of matches. Mallorca, on the other hand, occupies the sixth spot, just one point ahead of seventh-placed Rayo Vallecano. This upcoming match is crucial for both teams, as they each look to strengthen their positions in the league.

Atletico Madrid's recent form has been impressive, although they did suffer a rare defeat on January 18, 2025. That match saw them fall 1-0 to Leganes, which ended their 15-game unbeaten run across all competitions. Despite this setback, Simeone's men have bounced back well in their following matches, securing two wins and one draw in their last three outings. They claimed victories in the UEFA Champions League, first defeating Bayer Leverkusen and then overcoming Red Bull Salzburg. These wins ensured they finished in fifth place in the group stage, guaranteeing their place in the knockout rounds of Europe's most prestigious club competition.

In La Liga, Atletico Madrid shared the spoils with Villarreal in a 1-1 draw last weekend. Samuel Lino's equalizer canceled out a penalty from Gerard Moreno, but Atletico remained firmly in the hunt for the La Liga title. With 21 games played, they sit in second place, four points behind the league leaders, Real Madrid. This is a promising position for Simeone's side, and they will be determined to keep their momentum going with another positive result in this upcoming match against Mallorca.

One of the standout features of Atletico Madrid’s campaign this season has been their outstanding form at home. They have been dominant on their own turf, having amassed an impressive 27 points from 11 home games so far. This remarkable record means they remain unbeaten at the Wanda Metropolitano, and it will be a daunting task for Mallorca to try and upset Atletico in front of their passionate supporters.

Meanwhile, Mallorca, under the guidance of coach Jagoba Arrasate, have had a challenging start to 2025. The Balearic Islanders have struggled in the new year, suffering four consecutive defeats in all competitions. Their most recent loss came last weekend when they were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis at home. Before that, Mallorca had suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to Villarreal on January 20, following a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals in Saudi Arabia. To make matters worse, they were also eliminated from the Copa del Rey after a loss to Pontevedra earlier in the year.

Despite these setbacks, Mallorca remains in a respectable position in La Liga, currently sitting in sixth place. This position is still enough to secure a spot in European competition for next season, which would be a significant achievement for the club. However, Arrasate’s team has been struggling with their attacking play this season, scoring only 19 goals in their 21 league matches, which is the third-worst attacking record in the league. This lack of firepower has been a major concern, especially given their recent run of poor results. With just a three-point cushion over Sevilla in 12th place, Mallorca’s position in the top six could be under threat if their form doesn’t improve soon.

Looking at their previous encounters, Atletico Madrid has enjoyed a dominant record against Mallorca. In fact, they have won the last four meetings between the two teams, including a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Both of their league meetings during the 2023-24 campaign also ended in 1-0 wins for Atletico, highlighting their superior quality and consistency in these encounters. However, Mallorca does have a recent victory over Atletico to their name, having triumphed 2-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano back in December 2021. Still, that remains their only victory in their last five meetings against the Madrid-based club.

The upcoming match will present a tough challenge for both teams. Atletico Madrid will be keen to continue their strong home form and keep up the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table. Their focus will be on maintaining their defensive solidity while also improving their attacking efficiency to ensure they secure all three points. Meanwhile, Mallorca will be hoping to put an end to their disappointing run and take something from the game, especially given their recent struggles. Arrasate will need to find a way to solve his team’s attacking problems, as they cannot afford to continue relying solely on their defense to earn points.

As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Atletico Madrid’s star players, including Antoine Griezmann, who has been in excellent form for the team. The French forward will be expected to lead the line and provide the necessary attacking spark for Atletico. His partnership with the likes of Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata will be crucial in breaking down Mallorca’s defense. Mallorca will need to be organized defensively and play with resilience if they are to stand any chance of getting a positive result from the game. Their ability to defend well and capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities could be key to frustrating Atletico and potentially stealing a point or even more.

In conclusion, Atletico Madrid’s clash with Mallorca on Saturday evening promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to secure a vital win. Atletico will look to maintain their strong position in the title race, while Mallorca will seek to recover from their recent struggles and stay in the hunt for European football next season. With Atletico’s excellent home record and Mallorca’s difficult start to 2025, the odds are stacked in favor of the home side, but football is often unpredictable, and Mallorca will be hoping to spring a surprise in Madrid.