Villarreal vs Mallorca Predictions

Villarreal vs Mallorca predictions for this La Liga meeting. Villarreal host Mallorca on Monday, seeking to reignite their top-four La Liga push. A home win is crucial to bolster their inconsistent campaign. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.

La Liga | Jan 20, 2025 at 8pm UK at Estadio de la Ceramica

Villarreal vs Mallorca Predictions

Can Villarreal Break Their Slump or Will Mallorca Deliver a Shock?

• Goals Galore in Villarreal Matches: Both teams have scored in 13 of Villarreal’s last 16 La Liga home games, highlighting their attacking strength and defensive frailties.
• Mallorca Struggle for Clean Sheets Away: Mallorca have conceded in seven of their nine away league fixtures this season, despite their strong defensive record overall.
• Villarreal’s Defensive Headaches: The Yellow Submarine have the joint-third worst defensive record in La Liga, conceding 31 goals in 19 matches.

Our Tips

Monday night’s clash between Villarreal and Mallorca at the Estadio de la Cerámica carries significant weight in the context of La Liga’s European qualification race. Both sides, sitting on 30 points after 19 games, find themselves tantalisingly close to breaking into the top four. For Villarreal, the challenge lies in rediscovering consistency, as Marcelino’s men have faltered in recent weeks, picking up just one win in their last eight outings across all competitions. Despite their inconsistencies, they remain one of the most prolific attacking sides in the division, scoring 34 goals, a tally bettered by only three clubs.

Mallorca, meanwhile, have been a revelation this season. While previous campaigns saw them languishing in the lower half of the table, Jagoba Arrasate has transformed them into a competitive outfit with an eye on a top-six finish. Their defensive solidity has been a cornerstone of this improvement, conceding just 21 goals compared to Villarreal’s leaky backline, which has shipped 31. The result is a fascinating clash of styles – Villarreal’s attacking intent against Mallorca’s disciplined defensive structure. Both teams will be desperate to gain an edge in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. The real question is, who will prevail when fire meets ice?

Best Bet for the Match: Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

Considering the styles of play and recent trends, the best bet for this matchup is for both sides to find the net. Villarreal have developed a reputation for high-scoring games this season, particularly at home. Their attacking prowess, spearheaded by the likes of Yeremy Pino and Thierno Barry, has made them a formidable threat in the final third. While Ayoze Pérez’s ongoing absence is a blow – his eight La Liga goals have been critical – Marcelino’s side have consistently found ways to score, particularly at the Estadio de la Cerámica. In fact, 13 of their last 16 home league games have seen both teams hit the back of the net.

However, Villarreal’s defensive woes have been equally prominent. Their backline, despite the experience of Raúl Albiol, has been alarmingly porous, boasting the joint-third worst defensive record in the league. The 5-2 win over Leganés was a spectacle, but it highlighted how easily Villarreal can concede when under pressure. Mallorca, despite being less flamboyant, have shown they can capitalise on such vulnerabilities. The return of Vedat Muriqi and Manu Morlanes from suspension will undoubtedly bolster their attacking options, while Cyle Larin, with his physical presence and eye for goal, offers a potent outlet up front.

Mallorca’s defensive resilience shouldn’t be underestimated, but even they have shown cracks on the road, losing four of their nine away games this season. Their recent 3-0 loss to Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey was an embarrassing setback, and while they were beaten by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, the match exposed defensive frailties when faced with sustained attacking pressure.

BettingTips4You.com’s expert Gerard Gabasa summarises the situation aptly: “With Villarreal’s relentless attacking style and Mallorca’s ability to pounce on defensive lapses, both teams scoring looks a strong bet. Neither side can be trusted to keep a clean sheet, and the numbers all point towards goals at both ends.”

Correct Score Prediction: Villarreal 2-1 Mallorca

In line with the best bet, the most likely correct score for this clash appears to be a narrow 2-1 victory for Villarreal. While Mallorca have displayed admirable defensive discipline for much of the campaign, their performance in high-stakes away matches has been far from perfect. Villarreal, despite their recent struggles, still possess enough quality in attack to edge out a hard-fought victory in front of their supporters.

The return of Yeremy Pino from suspension is a significant boost for the Yellow Submarine. His creativity and pace in wide areas will add an extra dimension to their attack, while Thierno Barry’s movement and eye for goal should cause problems for Mallorca’s backline. Although Marcelino’s side haven’t been reliable defensively, Mallorca’s reliance on Vedat Muriqi and Cyle Larin to deliver up front may not be enough to claim a result. Villarreal’s ability to dominate possession and create chances, even against well-organised teams, should ultimately tip the scales in their favour.

Mallorca’s counter-attacking setup will pose challenges, especially with Sergi Darder and Robert Navarro offering pace and trickery on the flanks. However, Villarreal’s desperation to bounce back from their poor run of form and their strong record of scoring at home make them slight favourites. The match is likely to be closely contested, but the hosts’ attacking firepower should secure them a vital three points.

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