Mallorca vs Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad will be determined to halt a three-game winless run as they prepare to face Mallorca in a crucial La Liga clash at Son Moix on Tuesday. After a rocky start to the season, the Basque side find themselves in an unenviable 16th position with just four points from five games, while Mallorca sit in a slightly more comfortable spot, occupying 12th place with five points. However, both teams are struggling with form and consistency, making this encounter vital for their respective ambitions to improve their standings.

Mallorca's season has been plagued by inconsistencies and missed opportunities, and Saturday's home defeat to Villarreal was a prime example of their inability to capitalize on key moments. Jagoba Arrasate’s side conceded a gut-wrenching late goal, falling 2-1 after showing resilience in a match that could have easily ended in a draw. The team's performance was far from disastrous, but it reflected their ongoing difficulties in maintaining momentum across 90 minutes.

Villarreal’s Logan Costa gave the visitors the lead in the first half, placing immense pressure on Mallorca to mount a comeback. Their persistence paid off when Raul Albiol netted an unfortunate own goal in the 57th minute, leveling the score and seemingly putting Mallorca in a position to secure at least a point from the match. However, disaster struck just over 10 minutes later when Toni Lato was sent off with a straight red card in the 69th minute, leaving Mallorca to play the remainder of the game with 10 men. Despite their valiant efforts to hold on to the draw, Ayoze Pérez broke their resistance with a stoppage-time goal that shattered Mallorca’s hopes.

For Arrasate, this loss will be difficult to swallow, not just because of the manner in which it unfolded, but also because it exemplifies the issues that have marred his tenure since the season began. The team has managed just one win in their opening five matches—a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Leganés on matchday four—which is hardly the start Mallorca had hoped for under their new coach. The solitary win has been overshadowed by their inability to find consistency, and the red card on Saturday only adds to the frustration.

Moreover, Mallorca have struggled to make Son Moix a fortress this season. They are one of six teams in La Liga yet to record a home win, having drawn matches against Real Madrid and Sevilla before the Villarreal loss. The home crowd has seen some competitive performances, but the results have been disappointing. Their fans will be hoping for a turnaround on Tuesday, but history suggests they might face an uphill battle; Mallorca have not beaten Real Sociedad at home in their last five competitive meetings, with their last victory against La Real on home soil coming all the way back in September 2012.

Real Sociedad have not fared much better than Mallorca in the opening weeks of the season. Despite their pedigree as consistent challengers for a top-six finish in La Liga, the Basque side have endured a frustrating start, with just one win, one draw, and three losses in their first five games. This poor form has left them languishing near the relegation zone, a position they will be eager to escape from as quickly as possible.

The most alarming aspect of La Real's struggles has been their inability to perform at home. All three of their defeats this season have come at the Reale Arena, including a 2-0 loss to reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid on Saturday. While it is no shame to lose to the titleholders, Real Sociedad will feel they were unlucky not to come away with at least a point. Imanol Alguacil’s side hit the woodwork three times during the match, showing that they were more than capable of causing problems for Real Madrid. However, their profligacy in front of goal ultimately cost them, and penalties from Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé sealed their fate.

This inability to turn good chances into goals has been a recurring theme for Real Sociedad this season. In five matches, they have scored just three goals, a return that simply is not good enough for a team with ambitions of finishing in the top six. Alguacil will be acutely aware of the need to improve in the final third, particularly with tougher fixtures on the horizon. The team’s defense has been relatively solid, but without goals, it is difficult to win games, and the pressure is mounting on their attacking players to deliver.

Despite their struggles, Real Sociedad may feel confident heading into Tuesday’s match against Mallorca. Their record against Los Bermellones is impressive, having won eight of their last nine La Liga encounters. Last season, La Real completed a league double over Mallorca, a feat they will be aiming to replicate in the current campaign. If they can rediscover their attacking touch, this match represents an opportunity to kickstart their season and climb the table.

Both managers will be keen to address the weaknesses that have plagued their teams thus far. For Jagoba Arrasate, the priority will be on shoring up Mallorca's defense and avoiding the lapses in concentration that have cost them points. Mallorca have shown they can compete with some of the league's stronger sides, but their inability to close out matches has been a major concern. The absence of Toni Lato, suspended after his red card against Villarreal, will force Arrasate to make changes in defense, and how well Mallorca cope with that loss could be decisive in this contest.

In midfield, Mallorca will look to their more creative players to provide service to their forward line, while also ensuring they maintain a solid defensive shape. The midfield battle could be crucial, and Mallorca will need to be at their best to stop Real Sociedad from dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the game.

For Imanol Alguacil, the focus will likely be on improving his team’s attacking efficiency. Real Sociedad have the quality to create chances, as demonstrated by their near-misses against Real Madrid, but they need to be more clinical in front of goal. The likes of Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo will be key to breaking down Mallorca’s defense, and Alguacil may also look to introduce fresh faces in attack to inject some energy into the side.

Defensively, Real Sociedad have been fairly solid, but they will need to stay focused for the full 90 minutes to avoid the type of late collapse that Mallorca experienced against Villarreal. The team has shown resilience in the past, and they will need to draw on that experience to navigate this tricky fixture.

For both teams, this match is an important opportunity to gain momentum and move away from the bottom half of the table. For Mallorca, a win would lift them further up the standings and give Arrasate’s tenure a much-needed boost. A defeat, however, would increase the pressure on the coach, especially with tougher fixtures ahead.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will be desperate to end their poor run and avoid slipping further down the table. With just four points from five games, they are uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, and another loss could see them dragged into a relegation battle—something that would be unthinkable for a club of their stature. A win would not only ease those fears but also restore some confidence ahead of upcoming matches.

When it comes to the head-to-head record, Real Sociedad have dominated this fixture in recent years. As previously mentioned, they have won eight of their last nine La Liga meetings with Mallorca, including both encounters in the 2023-24 season. This dominance will give La Real a psychological edge heading into the game, but they cannot afford to take anything for granted.

Mallorca, on the other hand, will take heart from the fact that they have been competitive in most of their matches this season, even if the results have not always gone their way. If they can cut out the mistakes and maintain their concentration, they could pose a serious threat to Real Sociedad, particularly with the home crowd behind them.

In summary, Tuesday’s clash between Mallorca and Real Sociedad is shaping up to be a tense and closely-fought encounter. Both teams are in need of points to improve their respective positions in the La Liga standings, and both have plenty to prove after disappointing starts to the season. Mallorca will be hoping to capitalize on home advantage, while Real Sociedad will be looking to draw on their strong recent record against their opponents.