Mallorca v Real Madrid: Why a low scoring game looks probable

After Wednesday’s Champions League defeat in Dortmund extended their poor run in Germany to 24 matches with just a solitary victory, Real Madrid head to the island of Mallorca, a place where they have also struggled in recent times.

Indeed only three of their last six visits to the city of Palma have yielded wins for Los Blancos, but with Barcelona likely to have extended their lead over the current champions to 11 points by the time kick off comes, a win for Jose Mourinho’s men is absolutely vital and can be backed at 9/25. Mallorca meanwhile are offered at 15/2 and the draw is available at 18/5.

With Madrid having already lost twice on the road this season and Mallorca traditionally extremely strong at home, a tight match looks likely. The price of 6/4 for under 2.5 goals looks extremely tempting, and even more so when you consider the considerable injury list affecting Los Blancos, which includes Sami Khedira as well as three potential left backs.

Two out of Madrid’s last three away matches have all gone under 2.5, while under manager Joaquin Caparros Mallorca have been extremely tough to break down. Five of their last seven matches have seen less than three goals scored with the Islanders’ games in La Liga this season averaging 2.38 goals.

If a low scoring encounter looks likely then, backing a goal-less first half could be a profitable venture for those looking for a value bet, with under 0.5 goals in the opening 45 minutes offered at 14/5.

Mallorca have only conceded one first half goal at home in the four matches played there this season, while Madrid are yet to score more than one goal away from home in the first half. This bet has paid out in two of the last four meetings, and while it is not for huge investment, it could well be worthy of a small punt.