Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Mallorca - prediction, team news, lineups

Diego Simeone's side look set to secure qualification for next season's Champions League despite defeat last time out.

Match preview

Barcelona became the first team to do the double over Atletico this season on Sunday, when a 1-0 scoreline at Camp Nou ended a six-game winning run for Simeone's men.

It was also their first defeat since Barcelona beat them earlier in the season, back in January, as a strong run of form has opened up a comfortable buffer between Atleti and the sides chasing the top four places.

With Real Betis and Villarreal also both losing at the weekend, the gap remains 12-points between them and Atletico, and with just eight games to go, UCL qualification looks almost assured.

Maintaining consistency both home and away has contributed to a respectable season for Atletico.

Their record makes for very symmetrical reading, as 60 points from 30 games have been evenly split - 30 points from 15 home games and 30 points from 15 on the road.

After Barca completed the double at the weekend, Mallorca have the chance to do the same in this encounter.

Mallorca are the only other side who have beaten Atletico since November, and they achieved the feat last season too, meaning they are currently on a three-game winning streak against their upcoming opponents.

After six La Liga games without a win, Javier Aguirre's side have now won back-to-back games for the first time in 2023.

Those two successes have moved them to within six points of a potential European place, but sitting down in 10th means there will be strong competition for those positions.

There has also been a sharp upturn in their away form too, with a 3-3 draw with Real Valladolid and a win at Celta Vigo arresting a seven-game losing run on the road for Mallorca - their first away points since November.

Improvement in the final third will be necessary if they are to overcome the hurdles in front of them to mount an unlikely European push though, as only five sides in the division have scored fewer - averaging less than a goal per game.

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Mallorca La Liga form:

D

L

D

D

W

W

Team News

Atletico will be able to call upon both Marcos Llorente and Geoffrey Kondogbia again after the pair missed the weekend defeat at Barca through suspension.

However, a booking at Camp Nou means central defender Stefan Savic will serve a one-match ban.

Memphis Depay is still yet to return after picking up an injury after the international break, while Reinildo joins him on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Mallorca have numerous injuries and suspensions to deal with for their trip to Madrid.

Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and goalscorer Antonio Raillo were both cautioned in the 3-1 win over Getafe on Sunday and will be banned.

Defensive duo Ludwig Augustinsson and Matija Nastasic are both out injured, while Giovanni Gonzalez may miss the rest of the season with a knee issue.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Mario Hermoso; Molina, Marcos Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Morata, Griezmann

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Sanchez, Valjent, Copete, Hadzikadunic, Pablo Maffeo; Manu Morlanes, Baba, Lee Kang-in; Muriqi, Ndiaye

We say: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Mallorca

Mallorca come into the fixture with confidence having won consecutive games, and their fine record versus Atletico should give encouragement.

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