LaLiga: Real Madrid vs Mallorca preview 08/30/2025



Event Details

  • Fixture: Real Madrid vs Mallorca — LaLiga EA Sports, Gameweek 3
  • Date & Kick-off: Saturday, 30 August 2025 at 21:30 CEST (9:30 pm) at the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
  • Context: Real Madrid have started the season strongly with two wins and clean sheets against Osasuna and Real Oviedo. Mallorca remain winless, having lost to Barcelona (0–3) and drawn with Celta (1-1).

Broadcast & Live Streaming

  • Spain (TV): Available on M+ LaLiga TV, M+ LaLiga HDR, M+ LaLiga 2, Movistar Plus+, and Orange Fútbol 1

  • Spain (Streaming): Via Movistar Plus+, starting around €9.99/month (or €4.99 with shared access)

  • International:
    • USA: ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
    • Spain (DAZN LaLiga) also available as alternative coverage.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid

  • Squad: Available players include Courtois, Lunin, Mestre; defenders like Carvajal, Militao, Alaba (injured), Rüdiger, Arda Güler, and more; midfielders Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Arda Güler; forwards Mbappé, Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Brahim, Gonzalo, Mastantuono.

  • Injuries: Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick, and Jude Bellingham remain sidelined. Bellingham still weeks away.

  • Tactical Notes: Xabi Alonso defended benching Vinicius Jr. recently despite his bench goal, emphasizing team meritocracy; Rodrygo's versatility praised. Camavinga praised for his fit with the system, and Alonso highlighted youth like Dean Huijsen and Thiago Pitarch as exciting additions.

Mallorca

  • Coach: Jagoba Arrasate intends to repeat last season’s tactical approach—focus on compactness, concentration, and disciplined defending.
  • Squad news: New signing Jan Virgili called up; Samu Costa returns from injury. Key players Pablo Maffeo and Cyle Larin likely to remain despite transfer speculation.

  • Season form: Mallorca seeks a breakthrough—transforming from relegation battles to a possible push toward European qualification. Players like Cyle Larin, Takuma Asano, and Pablo Maffeo have been integral to this rise.

4. Probable Lineups & Tactical Plans

Based on multiple sources, here are the most likely starting XIs:

Real Madrid (4-3-3 / 4-1-2-3)

  • GK: Courtois
  • Defenders: Carvajal; Rüdiger; Huijsen; Carreras (or Militao/Alaba depending on fitness)
  • Midfield: Tchouameni; Valverde; Arda Güler or Ceballos
  • Attack: Vinícius Jr; Mbappé; Rodrygo or Mastantuono

Mallorca (3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1)

  • GK: Leo Román
  • Defense: Valjent, Raíllo, Kumbulla / Morey (depending formation)
  • Midfield: Mascarell, Torre, Darder, with Asano or Maffeo offering width
  • Attack: Cyle Larin; Vedat Muriqi or Mateo Joseph

Head-to-Head & Historical Context

  • Overall record: Out of 75 meetings, Real Madrid have won 46, Mallorca 16, with 13 draws.

  • At the Bernabéu, Real Madrid have won the last nine league meetings against Mallorca, scoring 27 goals in that span.

  • Recent encounters:
    • May 2025: Madrid won 2-1, with Jacobo Naveros scoring a stoppage-time winner after Mbappé’s equalizer and Valjent’s early opener. Madrid dominated with 40 shots vs Mallorca’s 4.

    • Earlier: Occasional Mallorca surprises (e.g., 1-0 win in February 2023), but trailing history is heavily biased toward the hosts.