Athletic Club vs Mallorca Preview and Prediction
Athletic Club vs Mallorca Match Preview
Fifth-placed Athletic Club will play host to 15th-placed RCD Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday, February 3 in the first game of match week 23.
Hosts Athletic Club enter this game on the back of a great run of form. They have lost just once in their last 15 games across competitions, securing 11 wins and three draws. In this run, they have also eliminated Barcelona (4-2) from the Copa del Rey to progress to the semi-finals. Ernersto Valverde’s men know a win could see them leapfrog the Blaugrana in the league as well. Having played a goalless draw against Cadiz last time out, Athletic Club were eager to set things straight.
Mallorca, on the other hand, are in a decent run of form themselves despite being much lower in the table. They have lost just twice in their last 10 games, securing five wins and three draws. They too have made it to the Copa del Rey semis and eliminated high-flying Girona (3-2) in the previous round. However, Mallorca lost their last La Liga game at home against Betis (0-1) and will look to get back to positive results starting from the next game.
On that note, let’s take a look at their team news.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Athletic Club
Winger Alex Berengeur remains sidelined after picking up an ankle injury earlier this month and is a doubt. Midfielder Inigo Ruiz (hip) and defender Imanol Garcia (fever) are also doubts for this upcoming fixture.
Ruiz, along with defenders Daniel Vivian and Aitor Paredes are also at the risk of facing a suspension for the accumulation of yellow cards, having already been booked four times.
Valverde will likely stick with his favored XI for this game as Athletic Club look to continue their march towards the top four.
Predicted XI: Unai Simon (GK), Oscar de Marcos (C), Daniel Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Lekue, Mikel Vesga, Ander Herrera, Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Malcom Ares, Asier Villalibre.
Mallorca
Defender Pablo Maffeo is out with a meniscus tear suffered earlier this month and is expected to return to full training in February. Left-back Braian Cufre suffered an adductor injury in December and is yet to return.
Meanwhile, Cyle Larin and Jose Copete are both facing the risk of suspension as they have been booked four times already in La Liga.
Manager Javier Aguirre, too, is likely to go with his strongest combination as Mallorca look to put together a string of good results to move away from the relegation zone.
Predicted XI: Predrag Rajkovic (GK), Giovanni Gonzalez, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raillo (C), Matija Nastasic, Toni Lato, Manu Morlanes, Samuel Costa, Sergi Dader, Abdon Prats, Cyle Larin.
ALSO READ: Girona vs Real Sociedad Preview and Prediction.
Athletic Club vs Mallorca Head-to-Head & Prediction
Last 5 Games H2H (La Liga)
- Mallorca 0-0 Athletic Club (09/23)
- Mallorca 1-1 Athletic Club (05/23)
- Athletic Club 0-0 Mallorca (08/22)
- Mallorca 3-2 Athletic Club (02/22)
- Athletic Club 2-0 Mallorca (09/21)
As you can see, Mallorca and Athletic Club have mainly had close-fought encounters, with the last three ending all square. Both sides have picked up a win apiece in their last five games.
However, just one of those five encounters saw more than three goals being scored, with all signs pointing towards a low-scoring affair.
Athletic Club enter the contest as favourites considering their higher ranking in La Liga, as well as their recent run of form. They should win this one comfortably.
Prediction: Athletic Club 2-0 Mallorca.
Betting Tips
- Inaki Williams: Anytime Goalscorer.
- Athletic Club to Win to Nil: Yes.
- Correct Score: ATH 2-0.
Odds
- Athletic Club Win: 1.53
- Draw: 4.20
- Mallorca Win: 7.00
Top Players to Watch
Athletic Club
Following his return from participating in the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, Inaki Williams made an instant impact on his return. He scored to make it 3-2 to his team against Barcelona in the second half of extra-time in their quarter-final clash, ensuring they had one foot in the semis.
With 11 goal contributions in La Liga already this season, Williams will be in the spotlight once again. Overall, the 29-year-old has nine goals and four assists in 21 games across competitions and will look to add to that before the season ends.
Mallorca
Striker Abdon Prats was the hero for Mallorca as they downed Girona 3-2 on their home turf in the quarter-finals. Prats scored a quickfire brace in seven first-half minutes, including a goal from the penalty spot, to send his team into the next round.
In La Liga, he has six goal contributions to his name and will look to add more to ensure Mallorca at least remain in the league next season.
Athletic Club vs Mallorca Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 3rd 1:30 AM (IST).
- India: Sports18, JioCinema app & website.
- Spain: Movistar DAZN.
- Germany: DAZN Amazon Prime, Video ZDF.
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