Mallorca vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-09-13 12:00.
[p]Solid across the opening four games (W1, D2, L1), Mallorca now return to La Liga action looking to build on back-to-back clean sheets and their first win of the campaign prior to the international break. Consolidating that form is by no means guaranteed, as boss Jagoba Arrasate heads into this contest winless across his last four personal H2H encounters with Villarreal (D1, L3). [/p]
[p]There is hope of a reversal of those fortunes as Mallorca remain unbeaten at home at this early stage (D2), with Sevilla and Real Madrid having to settle for a point each when visiting the Balearic Island. Goals could come at a premium no matter the outcome, as only one of Mallorca’s last eight home league games produced at least three goals in total, with all of their wins during that run ending with a 1-0 scoreline (W3, D3, L2). [/p]
[p]In contrast, there have been goals aplenty across Villarreal’s opening rounds of the season and they remain unbeaten despite conceding seven times across their four league games so far (W2, D2). Coach Marcelino may well expect further progress against Mallorca, as his side on the day has kept four clean sheets across his last six personal H2Hs (W3, D2, L1).[/p]
[p]Such defensive solidity is something of a rarity for Villarreal, as they’ve kept just one clean sheet across their last 21 competitive road trips in a run stretching back to November 2023. Consequently falling behind is a real possibility, although Villarreal’s solid record when conceding the opener in away league action since the start of last season means you can never truly discount them from getting something from the match (W1, D5, L3). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Veteran Mallorca midfielder Dani RodrĂguez has contributed to two of the team’s three league goals this term (G1, A1) and may hope for more given his healthy return across seven H2Hs against Villarreal (G3, A1). Ayoze PĂ©rez leads the way for the visitors with a pair of strikes so far (G2) and could prove key once again with four of his last six club goals proving decisive in victories. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Villarreal have found the net in 19 of their last 21 away league games. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]