After ending 2023 at the top of the La Liga table, Real Madrid will be looking to put their foot down during the second half of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have plenty to play for, and their 2024 begins on Wednesday night at home to a resurgent Mallorca. The visitors have picked up just 18 points this term, but half of those arrived in their last five outings.
Madrid’s impressive first half to 2023/24 was made all the more impressive by their injury woes. Ancelotti has had to deal with an array of key absences, yet Los Blancos have lost just one game in all competitions. Despite Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao’s long-term injuries, Madrid boast La Liga’s stoutest defence and the arrival of Jude Bellingham has mitigated for Karim Benzema’s Saudi exit.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Real Madrid’s first game of 2024 against Mallorca.
Real Madrid vs Mallorca H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Real Madrid are certainly getting healthier with Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, and Vinicius Junior all closing in on their respective returns. The trio could be preserved for the upcoming Spanish Super Cup.
The hosts will be without the suspended Nacho Fernandez which means Ancelotti has a decision to make at centre-back with Eder Militao and David Alaba both long-term absentees.
Ferland Mendy is also set to miss out, but there could finally be La Liga minutes for Arda Guler.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Mallorca (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Garcia; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.
Jaume Costa is suspended for the trip to the capital due to yellow card accumulation. His absence could force Javier Aguirre into a rethink given Mallorca’s lack of distinct wing-back alternatives down the left flank.
Omar Mascarell, Martin Valjent, and Toni Lato should all return from their injuries in January, but Wednesday’s game will likely come too soon for all.
Vedat Muriqi is a doubt with an ankle issue.
Mallorca predicted lineup vs Madrid (3-4-2-1): Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Raillo, Nastasic; Maffeo, Costa, Morlanes, Copete; Sanchez, Dominguez; Larin.
It’s been a couple of weeks since Real Madrid were last in action, so we should perhaps expect a hint of rust, especially against a side like Mallorca that will merely aim to contain the hosts.
Aguirre will allow his side to cede territory and control, hoping to frustrate Madrid. Ancelotti’s side have shown some vulnerability to such ploys this season, but they’ve almost always found a way of getting the job done.
A scintillating performance shouldn’t be expected of Madrid on Wednesday, but it’s hard to envisage them not winning.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Mallorca
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90Mins
