Match Preview for Real Madrid v Mallorca
Real Madrid will look to extend their perfect start to the 2025-26 La Liga season when they welcome Mallorca to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Los Blancos have already dispatched Osasuna and Real Oviedo, collecting six points from six to sit third in the table, while Mallorca find themselves down in 16th place with just a single point from their opening two fixtures.
Madrid have not always been free-flowing in these early weeks, edging past Osasuna in their opener thanks to a Kylian Mbappe strike, before eventually finding their rhythm in a 3-0 win away at Real Oviedo. Mbappe netted twice that night, with Vinicius Junior sealing the result late on.
Xabi Alonso’s men are one of five sides with a 100% record after two rounds, but with Barcelona already flexing their attacking strength, the margin for error in this title race is slim.
Los Blancos have beaten Mallorca 46 times in 75 meetings and completed a league double over them last season, including a 2-1 win in this fixture at the Bernabeu.
Mallorca’s campaign began in the worst possible fashion, a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona in which two players were sent off before half-time. They steadied themselves last weekend, salvaging a 1-1 draw at home to Celta Vigo thanks to Mateu Morey’s late equaliser.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side sit just outside the relegation zone, but victory in Madrid would provide a huge lift before the international break.
The Pirates finished 10th last season, only four points off Europe, and they have the tools to aim higher again.
However, their record away to Real Madrid is bleak – they have not claimed a league win at the Bernabeu since May 2009.
Team news for Real Madrid v Mallorca
Real Madrid remain without Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga. Alonso has no new injuries, and much of the side that beat Oviedo is expected to start again.
Vinicius Junior could replace Rodrygo in attack, while Dani Carvajal is tipped to retain his place over Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. Antonio Rudiger should once again partner young Dean Huijsen at centre-back.
Mallorca welcome back Vedat Muriqi and Manu Morlanes after suspensions kept them out against Celta. Pablo Torre, on loan from Barcelona, is set to continue in the No. 10 role, while Sergi Darder and Toni Lato should both keep their places in midfield. Arrasate is likely to stick with a back three, with Muriqi and Takuma Asano spearheading the attack.
Expected line-ups for Real Madrid v Mallorca
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Güler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinícius
Mallorca: Roman; Kumbulla, Raíllo, Valjent; Morlanes, Darder, Lato, Mojica; Torre; Muriqi, Asano
