Preview: Mallorca vs. Villarreal
Villarreal will be bidding to bounce back from their opening-weekend loss to Real Betis when they continue their La Liga campaign away to Mallorca on Friday night.
The Yellow Submarine suffered a 2-1 home defeat in their opening match of the season, while Mallorca came from behind to draw 1-1 with Las Palmas in their first game of the 2023-24 campaign.
Mallorca fell behind in the first half of their opening-night clash with Las Palmas on August 12, but they managed to level the scores in the second period through Antonio Raillo, with the points being shared.
Javier Aguirre’s side will now be bidding to secure their first three points of the season, as they prepare to welcome a Villarreal outfit that they beat twice last season, including a 4-2 success at home.
Mallorca finished ninth in Spain’s top flight last season and will be aiming for a top-half position once again, with their summer activity suggesting that a strong campaign is more than possible.
Sergi Darder, Cyle Larin, Samu Costa, Siebe Van der Heyden, Manu Morlanes, Omar Mascarell, and Toni Lato have all arrived at the club during an impressive transfer window.
Lee Kang-in has been their major departure to Paris Saint-Germain, but the likes of Inigo Ruiz de Galaretta, Angel Rodriguez, and Iddrisu Baba have also moved on this summer.
Villarreal, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 loss to Real Betis in their first match of the season; Ayoze Perez sent the Green and Whites ahead at Estadio de la Ceramica before Jorge Cuenca levelled the scores in the 61st minute.
It did appear that the points would be shared, but the visitors had other ideas, with Willian Jose deciding the match in the 95th minute to make it a disappointing start to the season for the Yellow Submarine.
Quique Setien’s side finished fifth in Spain’s top flight last season, picking up 64 points from their 38 matches, which saw them qualify for the group stage of the 2023-24 Europa League.
Villarreal has been able to bring a number of new players to the club this summer, including Alexander Sorloth, Ramon Terrats, and Denis Suarez, but they have lost some key figures in the shape of Nicolas Jackson, Pau Torres, and Samuel Chukwueze, who have all departed in big-money deals.
The Yellow Submarine’s summer business has certainly boosted them financially, but the supporters will hope that it has not come at a cost in terms of success on the field.
Mallorca La Liga form:
D
Villarreal La Liga form:
L
We say: Mallorca 1-1 Villarreal
Villarreal will be desperate to bounce back from their loss to Real Betis, but Mallorca are a very good side, and we are struggling to back the hosts from losing. There has also been one draw in the last eight league meetings between these two sides, but we are expecting the points to be shared here.