Mallorca will be aiming to build on their impressive result against Real Madrid when they continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign away to Osasuna on Saturday afternoon.
Jagoba Arrasate's side held the champions Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in their season opener, while Osasuna played out an identical stalemate with Leganes in their first match of the new campaign.
Match preview
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Osasuna fell behind to Leganes in the 22nd minute of their La Liga clash at Estadio El Sadar, but an own goal from Juan Soriano in the 79th minute meant that the points were shared on the opening weekend of the new campaign.
Los Rojillos are now under the management of Vicente Moreno, who has replaced Arrasate at the helm, with the latter leaving to take charge of Mallorca, so this weekend's contest will be a special occasion for the 46-year-old.
Osasuna have finished 10th, 11th, 10th, seventh and 11th in their last five campaigns in Spain's top flight, but it remains to be seen how they perform this term under a new manager; it is largely the same squad from last season, with only two players arriving and David Garcia the only permanent exit.
The club are expected to further add to their squad before the end of the transfer window, but Bryan Zaragoza's arrival is an eye-catching one, with the 22-year-old joining on loan from Bayern Munich.
Osasuna have only won one of their last five league games against Mallorca, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding clash last term.
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Mallorca's performance against Real Madrid last weekend was excellent, with Arrasate's side well worth their point against the champions, and they passed up some chances to win it in the latter stages.
Los Blancos were on course for all three points in their first game of the new La Liga campaign when Rodrygo sent them ahead in the 13th minute, but Vedat Muriqi headed a leveller in the 53rd minute.
Mallorca have finished 16th, ninth and 15th in their three campaigns since earning promotion back to this level, and they will certainly have their eyes on a top-half finish this term considering the strength of their squad and the arrival of Arrasate, who is one of the most highly-rated managers in La Liga.
Los Piratas have made three signings this summer, with Johan Mojica the only one to arrive for a transfer fee, while Predrag Rajkovic has been their biggest departure, making the move to Saudi Arabia.
Mallorca have won two of their last five league games against Osasuna, and they secured four points from their two matches versus Los Rojillos during the 2023-24 campaign.
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Osasuna will again be without the services of Kike Barja due to a long-term knee injury, while Jose Arnaiz remains a doubt with the issue that forced him to miss out against Leganes.
Zaragoza was a second-half substitute in the team's first match of the new campaign, but he is now expected to start, with the Spaniard in line for a spot in the front three.
Head coach Moreno is unlikely to make any other alterations to his starting side, though, with Ante Budimir, who scored 17 league goals last season, leading the line for the hosts.
As for Mallorca, Javi Llabres is out until next month with a muscular problem, but the away side are otherwise in strong shape, having not suffered any fresh fitness issues against Real Madrid.
Due to the manner of the performance last time out, it would not be a surprise to see the same XI, with Muriqi leading the line and Sergi Darder operating in the three-man midfield.
Mojica and Takuma Asano made their debuts for the club against Real Madrid, and the pair are set to retain their spots in the starting side for the contest this weekend.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, Catena, Herrando, Bretones; Munoz, Torro, M Gomez; Zaragoza, Budimir, Oroz
Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Greif; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Darder, Mascarell, S Costa; Asano, Muriqi, D Rodriguez
We say: Osasuna 1-2 Mallorca
Mallorca have a recent away league win over Osasuna to their name, triumphing in this fixture in May 2022, and we are backing another away success here. Mallorca were excellent against Real Madrid last time out, and we fancy them to secure all three points on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
