Mallorca vs Real Betis

Mallorca’s return La Liga campaign gets underway this weekend as they welcome Real Betis to the Visit Mallorca Estadi in their 2021/22 top-flight curtain-raiser.

Mallorca finished runners-up to Espanyol in La Liga 2 last term despite having the identical point tally (82) as the Catalan side to return to the top-flight after a season away. A busy transfer window campaign, coupled with a run of three consecutive victories in their La Liga opening day fixtures, suggests Mallorca could be off to a flying start here. However, after putting together back-to-back league wins at home, ‘Los Piratas‘ have lost their last two H2Hs as hosts, succumbing to the same 2-1 scoreline on each occasion. Despite facing second-tier opposition, Mallorca produced an eye-catching end to the previous league season, going unbeaten in their final eight home La Liga 2 games (W7, D1). Interestingly, five of those matches were accompanied by a clean sheet, which has been the case in Mallorca’s last four competitive H2Hs wins at home.

On the other hand, Real Betis claimed a highly respectable sixth-place finish last season, defying the odds to secure European football since 2018/19. Keen to build on the 2020/21 heroics, the Andalusian side will be desperate to kick things off from Matchday 1 after picking up just one win in their last seven La Liga opening day matches (D1, L5). Yet, there should be no shortage of confidence within the traveling camp, as ‘Los Verdiblancos‘ head into this encounter undefeated in 11 consecutive La Liga fixtures (W4, D7), their longest such run since 2002. Another good omen comes in the shape of head coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has avoided defeat in all but one of his 18 H2H meetings with Mallorca (W13, D4).