Mallorca vs. Real Madrid ONO Estadi, Mallorca Spain 4 PM EST Wednesday May 5, 2010
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Match Odds: Mallorca 5.00 / Real Madrid 1.55 / Draw 4.00
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
Moneyline: Mallorca +475 / Real Madrid -200 / Draw +315
On Wednesday night in a vital game for both squads Mallorca hosts Real Madrid. Real Madrid trails Barcelona by one point in Spain’s La Liga and on Tuesday night Barcelona plays at home against Tenerife, who are in the relegation zone, and will likely win. If they do Real Madrid must win this match to keep their La Liga title hopes alive.
Real Madrid can really put pressure on Barcelona if they win, as even if Barcelona wins on Tuesday they have to face a solid Sevilla squad this Saturday.
This is also an important match for Mallorca, as they have been the surprise team in Spain this season and are currently in 4th place in La Liga. They really want to finish the season well to end in the top 4 so they will automatically qualify for next season’s championship play.
Mallorca is one of the toughest teams to beat at home and this season they have won 14 of their 17 home matches. They have not lost in their last 6 matches and they will be facing a Real Madrid team that is hungry for a win.
Real Madrid is really playing well, as they have won their last 4 matches.
This season in La Liga play Real Madrid has scored a league high 92 goals and have given up 32 and Mallorca has scored 56 goals and given up 39.
Mallorca Recent Form:
5/2/2010 Atletic Bilbao 1 Mallorca 3 (La Liga)
4/25/2010 Mallorca 1 Malaga 1 (La Liga)
4/19/2010 Mallorca 2 Osasuna 0 (La Liga)
4/14/2010 Zaragoza 1 Mallorca 1 (La Liga)
4/11/2010 Mallorca 3 Valencia 2 (La Liga)
Real Madrid Recent Form:
5/2/2010 Real Madrid 3 Osasuna 2 (La Liga)
4/24/2010 Zaragoza 1 Real Madrid 2 (La Liga)
4/18/2010 Real Madrid 2 Valencia 0 (La Liga)
4/15/2010 Almeria 1 Real Madrid 2 (La Liga)
4/10/2010 Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 2 (La Liga)
Mallorca is a team that is relatively fit, as they do not have many injury issues. However, Tuni is still out and Ivan Ramis will not be available due to an injury.
Real Madrid have a few injury issues to deal with, as Raul, Rafael van der Vaart and Pepe are all banged up and may miss this big match. Lassana Diarra and Guti both have minor injuries, but each should be available for this match even though they may start the match on the bench.
Real Madrid beat Mallorca 2-0 at home this season and they were dominated in that match in terms of time of possession. Mallorca will have to keep the ball more and control it, especially in the midfield, if they are going to win this match.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a header that won Real Madrid’s match this last weekend and they will need his offense in this match. He has come up big in many of Real’s big matches this season and he will do so in this one scoring at least one goal.
The first half of the season Mallorca was almost unbeatable at home, but in the second half they have suffered more losses at ONO Estadi.
Mallorca goalie Aouate has had a great season, but Real Madrid will be attacking from the opening whistle and I do not think he will keep a clean sheet.
Mallorca has an Over/Under 2.5 goals record of 4-6 in their last 10 matches and Real Madrid has a record of 7-3.
Real Madrid will be pressing forward to get more offense in this match, but they have to be wary of the Mallorca counter attack.
Jason’s Pick: Mallorca is not an easy place to play, but I think Real Madrid is playing too well and their offense is simply too strong. Real Madrid will come out under intense pressure and play a great match, as I see them winning by a score of 2-1 or 3-1.
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