La Liga newcomers Elche will set out to continue their fine start to the 2025-26 campaign when they head to Estadi de Son Moix to face off against Mallorca on Sunday.
The away side kick off this weekend's round of matches five points clear of their hosts, who are just one place and two points outside the relegation zone.
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Mallorca vs Elche prediction: Visitors to fall to narrow defeat
Key stats
- Mallorca are unbeaten in their last three matches, albeit only picking up one win during that span.
- Elche have opened the scoring in four of their most recent five outings.
- All of Elche's last six games have produced fewer than 11 corners.
- There have been five bookings or more in four of Mallorca's last five affairs.
Correct score prediction: Mallorca 1-0 Elche
Mallorca's lack of attacking impetus at home, coupled with Elche's goal-shy nature on the road, suggests a low-scoring affair is on the cards here.
That said, Mallorca will have a larger degree of pressure on them being the hosts, and we can just about see them doing enough to collect maximum points.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts with the edge
- HOME: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
- DRAW: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- AWAY: 17/5 (4.40) – 22.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
While they have only managed just two wins, Mallorca are unbeaten in six of their seven league games on home turf, and Saturday's hosts have been backed to come out on top.
Jagoba Arrasate's men had to make do with a share of the spoils from their most recent outing against Real Oviedo, which ended in a goalless stalemate.
Elche, on the other hand, are one of four La Liga teams without an away triumph this term, hence their 22.7% win probability.
Eder Sarabia Arnesto's men ran out emphatic 3-0 winners over Girona last time out, but are set for a tough assignment in their search for consecutive league victories for the first time since regaining promotion to the top flight.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Elche unbeaten in seven
Saturday's clash will see Mallorca and Elche square off two years on since their last meeting back in the 2022-23 campaign.
After a 1-1 draw in the first affair, Elche claimed a narrow 1-0 triumph in the second leg to stretch their run of matches without defeat in this fixture to seven, although five of those matches have ended all square.
Spain La Liga 04/03/23
Mallorca
Elche
Spain La Liga 10/10/22
Elche
Mallorca
Spain La Liga 16/04/22
Elche
Mallorca
Spain La Liga 07/11/21
Mallorca
Elche
Spain Segunda 03/03/19
Mallorca
Elche
Mallorca preview: Samu Costa to miss first league game since August
Having been injured for his side's first two outings of the campaign, Costa did not make his season debut until gameweek three but has featured in every league game for Mallorca since then.
However, the midfielder's streak is set to come to an end this weekend as he serves a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Dani Rodriguez is also out of contention for the home side following his public spat with head coach Arrasate, while the Spanish quartet of Antonio Raillo, Toni Lato, Leo Roman and Pablo Torre miss out through injury.
Predicted lineup: Bergstrom (GK), Maffeo, Valjeent, Kumbulla, Mojica, Mascarell, Morlanes, Joseeph, Darder, Virgili & Muriqi
Mallorca's last five matches:
- Oviedo 0-0 Mallorca (LaLiga)
- Numancia 2-3 Mallorca (Copa del Rey)
- Mallorca 2-2 Osasuna (LaLiga)
- Villarreal 2-1 Mallorca (LaLiga)
- Mallorca 1-0 Getafe (LaLiga)
Elche preview: Rafa Mir seeking to impress once again in Andre Silva's absence
Off the back of consecutive cameo appearances off the bench, Mir was given the nod to feature right from the off against Girona and rewarded his manager's faith with two goals.
With Silva still unfit to feature, Mir is expected to lead the line for the visitors once again and will be keen to pick up where he left off.
Predicted lineup: Pena (GK), Bigas, Affeengruber, Chust, Valera, Febas, Aguado, Redondo, Nunez, Mir & Rodriguez
Elche's last five matches:
- Elche 3-0 Girona (LaLiga)
- Quintanar 1-2 Elche (Copa del Rey)
- Geetafee 1-0 Elche (LaLiga)
- Elche 2-2 Real Madrid (LaLiga)
- Elche 1-1 Real Sociedad (LaLiga)
Player to watch – Vedat Muriqi
Having scored eight goals in 14 matches so far, Muriqi has already surpassed his tally from last season, where he netted seven times in 29 matches.
Blessed with superb aerial ability and immense finishing ability, the Kosovo international continues to deliver the goods for his current employers.
Muriqi will be aiming to score in a third straight home match for Mallorca this weekend, making him one to keep an eye on.