ANALYSE MALLORCA VS OSASUNA:
Smaller clubs – but classic clubs – that have started to make their mark more and more.
Mallorca reached the same point heights two years ago, but otherwise, this season stands out significantly. From a rather anonymous existence out on the holiday island in the Mediterranean, they are now holding their own better and better in the competition. They have now caught the scent of tickets to European competition. One of the few teams in La Liga that uses a more proven 4–4–2 formation. A distinctly defensive full-back, two combative central midfielders, two forwards (Cyle Larin, a runner + Vedat Muriqi, who is a target inside the box). That striking duo usually forces an average of 3 fouls per match...
Osasuna, the pride of Pamplona, has also started making bigger waves on the surface. They made it all the way to the Copa del Rey final last year, where they put up a good fight against Real Madrid. In terms of La Liga, they are four points better than at the same time last season and have shown high peaks, perhaps especially at home, where they have taken points from Villarreal and defeated Barcelona 4–2.
I would say these are two teams of similar strength, albeit in slightly different ways...
That can boil down to a battle between the coaches, and there the advantage goes to Vicente Morreno (Osasuna), who has only lost three of twelve matches against his Mallorca counterpart (Arrasate).
For me, x2 is the closest, if looking at a 1x2 bet.
But I am most drawn to the card market. A strict referee is holding the whistle tonight...
Osasuna faces Real Madrid in the next round... It's no myth that "Los Blancos" often get to face teams with suspended players...
Osasuna has three players on the verge of suspension, two of whom are in the backline (who will have to battle against Mallorca's physical striking duo)... I’m betting on both Jesús Areso and Flavien Boyomo.
