Preview of Mallorca versus Real Madrid with anticipated outcomes and expected team formations

Real Madrid can take a step closer to the La Liga title when they visit Mallorca on Saturday evening.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were pushed to their limits by reigning European champions Manchester City on Tuesday night, drawing the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final 3-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the return leg next Wednesday.

While they may not want to exert themselves too much before their trip to the Etihad, Madrid have the chance to take another leap towards reclaiming the La Liga title if they can navigate a clash with 15th-placed Mallorca.

Here is 90min’s guide to Mallorca vs Real Madrid this weekend.

Mallorca suffered heartbreak in the Copa del Rey final last weekend, losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club. They also lost several first-team players to injury, including left-back Toni Lato.

Dani Rodriguez and Jose Copete also picked up injuries and may miss Real Madrid’s visit as a result, with the La Liga strugglers eager to secure some unlikely points as they look to further distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Mallorca predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (5-3-2): Rajkovic; Gonzalez, Valjent, Raillo, Nastasic, J. Costa; Rodriguez, Samu, Darder; Muriqi, Larin.

Real Madrid’s injury woes are starting to ease up at just the right moment, although they are still without two key starters. Thibaut Courtois recently suffered a setback in his recovery from an ACL tear and could be out for the season, while David Alaba is not expected to be fit for several months after also injuring his ACL.

Ancelotti may opt to rest some of his regulars against Mallorca at the weekend as he prepares for the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final, although he is still likely to field a strong XI.

Real Madrid confirmed lineup vs Mallorca (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Joselu, Brahim.

The fact that Real Madrid are likely to rotate will offer struggling Mallorca a glimmer of hope, with Javier Aguirre’s side only suffering a narrow 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture in January. They will also be eager to bounce back after their Copa del Rey final disappointment.

However, regardless of how many changes Ancelotti makes, Madrid will still be strong favourites for this one and should be able to lean on the depth of their squad as they search for another victory at the top of the table.