Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Real Mallorca are very much in the battle against relegation in the Balearic Islands as they now welcome a potentially fatigued Athletic Club side to Son Moix this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
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Mallorca preview: Struggling Majorcans
Former Osasuna boss Jago Arrasate has a reputation for playing an easier on the eye style of football but that hasn’t been the case in Majorca, despite some really talented and technical players in midfield, most notably Majorca-born Sergi Darder.
The Balearic Islanders come into this one on the back of back-to-back defeats against two sides that are also in the fight, with losses against Girona and Rayo Vallecano as they hover just outside of the bottom three and the relegation places.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Hard work in Bilbao
Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a thrilling but hard-fought 4-3 win after extra-time against second-tier side Cultural Leonesa in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, courtesy of a 104th minute winning penalty scored by Unai Gomez.
The Basque giants have struggled to deal with the intensity of playing in the UEFA Champions League, as well as maintaining a top four push in La Liga, and their midweek cup excursions are hardly going to help the levels of fatigue.
Mallorca team news: Pablo Maffeo suspended
Hot-headed right-back Pablo Maffeo was sent off against Rayo and so he is now missing through suspension, with both Antonio Raillo and Manu Morlanes unavailable due to injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leo Roman; Mateu Morey, Valjent, Kumbulla, Johan Mojica; Omar Mascarell, Costa; Antonio Sanchez, Jan Virgili, Toni Lato; Muriqi
Unavailable: Antonio Raillo (Injured), Pablo Maffeo (Suspended), Manu Morlanes (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: Alex Berenguer out
Versatile attacker Alex Berenguer has now sustained a serious toe injury with the visitors hoping to get both Aymeric Laporte and Mikel Vesga back from recent injury woes.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Boiro; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (Injured), Yeray (Disciplinary), Benat Prados (Injured), Alex Berenguer (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable: Laporte (Injured), Mikel Vesga (Injured)
Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Despite that aforementioned level of technical talent in Mallorca’s midfield and final third, the hosts still have far too much reliance on Kosovo international striker Vedat Muriqi. The Majorcans will try and be direct, roughing up an Athletic side that could well be physically depleted in Palma de Mallorca. The Basque giants will still surely fancy themselves to at least avoid defeat in the Balearics.
Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Double chance – Athletic Bilbao to win or draw
