Mallorca – Sevilla : Preview & Prediction
Nine points from a possible 24 points allows RCD Mallorca to be cautiously optimistic in a LaLiga Santander (LL) championship marked by great equality so far. Only three points separate the Balearic side from Sevilla FC, who are in the relegation zone at the start of round nine, and they are looking to get back to winning ways after struggling to a 1-1 draw away to Elche on Monday in a tense encounter that saw two players sent off.
Heavy rain forced a delay to the start of that match, in which Vedat Muriqi (four goals in LL 2022-23) scored the equaliser for Mallorca and was shown a straight red card late on. The absence of Mallorca’s top scorer so far in the championship makes things more difficult for a Mallorca side with only seven goals scored. It is worth remembering that Mallorca lost the only game Muriqi has missed since his debut in February.
For the second time in the 21st century, Sevilla have won just one of their first eight LL matches (G1, E3, P4). The last time it happened, the club finished ninth (2002-03). After being held to a draw by Athletic at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla have a lot at stake in the first league outing of their second spell under Jorge Sampaoli.
Sevilla were held to another 1-1 draw away to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, leaving them on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Champions League group stage. Against both Athletic and Dortmund, Los Blanquirrojos squandered a 1-0 lead, and in this respect it should be noted that Sevilla have already dropped seven points after opening the scoring in LL 2022-23.
Players to watch: With Muriqi absent, Antonio Raíllo is one of the other three Mallorca strikers in the current campaign available to face Sevilla. The Bermellon defender has picked up a yellow card in three of his last seven games. Midfielder Óliver Torres is Sevilla’s top scorer in LL 2022-23 with three goals, having already equalled his best scoring tally in a Primera Liga campaign. Each of his three goals has opened the scoring in the opening 45 minutes.
Weekend highlight: Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre has not won any of his last ten matches as coach against Sevilla (E2, P8).
Mallorca – Sevilla : Betting Tips
Sevilla – Win Odds: 2.25
