Mallorca vs Almeria prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-05-18 17:00.
[p]The long wait to secure top-flight survival could come to its conclusion in the penultimate round for Mallorca, who know one victory here will be enough to guarantee a fourth consecutive season in La Liga. Even should they fail, any slip-up from Cádiz, who sit four points behind in the relegation zone, would see Mallorca all but safe heading into the final round.[/p]
[p]Some solid, if uninspiring form across the last four rounds (W1, D2, L1) has brought Mallorca to the cusp of safety and that form reads curiously similar to their record against sides beginning this round below them (W1, D3, L1). The final of those games against doomed opponents sees AlmerĂa make the long trip east, although the 0-0 draw in the reverse was the second straight H2H in which Mallorca failed to score (D1, L1). [/p]
[p]AlmerĂa’s relegation is old news by this point and the only thing they have left to play for is the faint possibility of not finishing rock bottom, although that would require posting successive wins – something they haven’t done all season. In fact, an unlikely perfect finish would double their tragic two-win tally for the league season (D11, L23), which should they fail to improve upon, would be the joint lowest wins by any side in one season in La Liga history![/p]
[p]The last side to post a two-win La Liga campaign were Sporting GijĂłn back in 1997/98, so perhaps avoiding the ignominy of being remembered amongst that company may be enough to spur AlmerĂa to victory. Providing further hope for a reversal of fortunes is that both of their league wins came away from home, where they have avoided defeat in three of their last four trips (W2, D1, L1). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Mallorca will be thankful for the return of top league scorer Vedat Muriqi (G6), who may get off the mark quickly with eight of his last nine strikes proving to be his side’s opener. Similarly, Choco Lozano has been in red-hot form for AlmerĂa, scoring all three of his league goals this season across his last four appearances, each of which opened the scoring for his side. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: None of the last eight H2H encounters saw both teams score (MAL: W5, D1, L2). [/p]